ALPINE — The Lone Peak soccer team might no longer be the favorite to win Region 4, but it took a huge step toward that goal by taking out one of its top rivals in Lehi, 3-0, in both teams' first region match of the season.
For the first time all year the Knights came out strong in the first half, scoring not only their first first-half goal of the season but also deciding to tack on another couple.
"I was really happy with how fast we came out," said Lone Peak coach Mike LaHarogue. "We don't generally come out very hard in the first half. This was a great win for us."
Defensively, the team was solid, recording another shutout with Raven King in goal. But it was a pair of first-half goals by Shantel Flanary and one by Emily Belnap that gave the Knights the breathing room to play a defensive game in the second half.
"Shantel has worked so hard all year but has been a little unlucky with her finishes, but she got rewarded today," said LaHarogue of his All-Stater.
Said Flanary: "It felt good to have the team come out and score in the first half. It was good teamwork.
"The first one was easy to finish. Mindy (Vawdrey) did all the work on that one. On the second one, Lehi just made a mistake, and I was there to capitalize."
Vawdrey not only assisted on Flanary's breakaway 12:31 into the game, but she also provided the assist to Belnap on the first goal at 6:44 into the game.
"Mindy is always so solid," said LaHarogue. "It's nice having her senior leadership in the midfield."
After getting the early lead on a Lehi squad that came into this game undefeated and came out of it with an identical 6-1 record to Lone Peak, the Knights became a little complacent, and the two teams embroiled themselves in a tough defensive battle the rest of the way.
"They didn't let us get into our passing game like we wanted to do," said LaHarogue. "We were still trying to hit the home run. Last year, that was fine with two all-staters, but this year we're trying to get away from that style."
Though Lone Peak came away from the first region game relieved, Lehi wasn't too disappointed in the effort and will continue to fight hard as the region season unfolds.
Lehi coach Brett Bergholm told his girls after the game how happy he was with the second half and how happy he was with the way they fought back.
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