SPANISH FORK — Wasatch played outstanding defense and shut down the state's leading scorer en route to the 3-1 victory over Spanish Fork in Saturday's 3A soccer quarterfinals.
Spanish Fork striker McKinley Brinkerhoff came into the game with an astounding 42 goals scored this season, but the Wasps did an outstanding job clogging the midfield all game to limit the help that Brinkerhoff could get from her teammates..
With the victory, Wasatch advances to the semifinals for the first time in five years. It will face Snow Canyon at Jordan High School next Friday at 11 a.m. Snow Canyon eliminated Wasatch in the first round of the 3A playoffs last year, the Wasps are excited for a rematch.
Riley Gagon got the scoring started for Wasatch just five minutes into the game, as she buried a cross from Emily Duffett to put the Wasps ahead 1-0.
"It was a beautiful pass. We've been working on our set pieces quite a bit lately," said Wasatch coach Dawain Wheatley.
Wasatch maintained the 1-0 lead until halftime, but it eventually started to pull away in the second half.
Rebecca MaWhinney put Wasatch ahead 2-0 early in the second half and then teammate Sharee Woodruff made it 3-0 later in the half with her team-leading ninth goal of the season.
The victory was Wasatch's fourth straight as it joined fellow Region 10 foe Park City in the 3A semifinals.
Spanish Fork's Kristi Taylor prevented Wasatch from recording its eighth shutout of the season with a 77th-minute goal.
Prep soccer pairings
Class 5A
Tuesday's semifinals
At Juan Diego High School
Davis (15-1-1) vs. Viewmont (17-1-0), 11 a.m.
Northridge (9-6-0) vs. Alta (17-0-1), 1:15 p.m.
Class 4A
Tuesday's semifinals
At Juan Diego High School
Woods Cross (11-6-0) vs. Bonneville (16-2-0), 3:45 p.m.
Bountiful (12-5-1) vs. Skyline (15-1-2), 6 p.m.
Class 3A
Friday's semifinals
At Jordan High School
Wasatch (12-4-2) vs. Snow Canyon (15-2-0), 11 a.m.
Park City (16-0-2) vs. Ogden (17-0-0), 1:15 p.m.
Class 2A
Friday's semifinals
At Jordan High School
Waterford (10-5-1) vs. Maeser Prep (6-7-0), 3:45 p.m.
St. Joseph (12-3-0) vs. Manti (12-3-1), 6 p.m.