HEBER CITY — Matt Carr has scored just one goal this season. But the Wasatch High midfielder picked a perfect day to find the net.
Carr put the Wasps on the board early in their Saturday afternoon match, and the Wasatch soccer team held on for a 2-0 victory over Bear River to advance in the 3A state tournament.
"Oh, my boys. I am so proud of them," said Wasatch head coach Dawain Wheatley. "My boys have done just what they've been asked to do."
Carr scored the first Wasatch goal off of a corner kick with just 11 minutes remaining in the first half. The ball crossed into the center of the field and the senior emerged from the crowd to tap it in.
That goal ignited the Wasps, and Clay Heiner added the second score, floating the ball over the goalie's head and ricocheting it off the crossbar and into the net, just minutes later.
"We knew that (Bear River goalkeeper Jorge Lemus) came out and was aggressive sometimes," Wheatley said. "That's why we emphasized the one-touch shot."
The Wasps have approached each of their two playoff games differently, catering their game plan to the strengths of their opponents.
"We've gotten good scouting reports and we make specific assignments," Wheatley said. "We've changed our starting lineup the last two games based on our opponent. We've emphasized our strengths and negated theirs.."
Against the Bears, it was the job of the Wasatch defenders to slow down Everardo Lemus, the top goal-scorer in 3A who recorded 22 goals this season. The Wasatch defense was anchored by senior goalkeeper Dustin Armstrong, who leads 3A with 11 shutouts.
Up next for the Wasps is a quarterfinal match up with Ben Lomond on Friday at 11:30 a.m. at Jordan High. It will be the first meeting this season for the two teams, and Wheatley said his team is looking forward to it.
"(Seeding for the state tournament) came down to a coin toss and we were aware that second seed was maybe a little bit of an easier road," Wheatley said. "But we told our kids, 'We are region champs, we are the No. 1 seed, and you have to beat good teams to be a state champion.' "
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