PROVO — The Springville girls soccer team was supposed to face a tough test against Provo on Thursday. Both teams are trying to position themselves to contend in Region 7, and the Red Devils expected a fight and a close game. Instead, they got a three-goal victory — making it look easy.
Springville overwhelmed Provo in the first 40 minutes, scoring four goals and leaving no doubt about the outcome in a 4-1 win. By the time Provo scored its only goal late in the second half, the game was long since decided.
"I was happy about the first half," said Springville coach Ryan Swanson. "We ripped some good shots out there. It made it easier for the coaches to relax."
The Red Devils spread the ball around and got goals from four different players. Provo seemed to be off balance right from the start and didn't find a rhythm until the second half when the damage was already done.
Springville had suffered its first shutout of the season earlier in the week versus Lone Peak, and its attackers made it a goal to come out stronger on Thursday and get some quick scores. That plan worked to near perfection.
"We were all really excited," said Springville defender Chase Joyner. "We like playing Provo. It's always a fun game. We got a lot of good shots off."
Kaylyn Swanson found the back of the net in the opening minutes for the game's first goal. Provo might have stayed in the match but just missed an equalizer in the 18th minute when Chandra Salmon saw her open shot bounce off the far post.
The Red Devils made that miss hurt. Three minutes later, they led 3-0 after Natalie Young knocked in Alexis Eaton's cross in the 20th minute, and Joyner drilled a 35-yard free kick just a minute later.
Rachel Fischer finished off her team's scoring in the 40th minute, hitting an unassisted strike from the top of the box.
"I was pleased with the effort of my girls from top to bottom," said Swanson. "(Provo) had some chances in the first half that they narrowly missed. If they could have capitalized on them it might have made that a different game. We've got to be prepared when we play them again."
Provo made some halftime adjustments and took control of the second half. That paid off with a goal in the 66th minute on a free kick by Amber Wadsworth. Even then, the Bulldogs had a couple of good chances go unfinished that could have made the game closer.
Springville is set up for a huge game next Thursday against region favorite Orem. The winner of that match should have the inside track heading into September.