STANSBURY — On paper, Tuesday’s Region 10 girls soccer showdown between Park City and Stansbury had all the hallmarks of a classic duel.
The host Stallions entered the rematch with a Class 3A-leading 38 goals in region play, while the Miners’ stingy defense had allowed only two. Up for grabs: the region title, a coveted top seed in next week’s state playoffs and a chance at redemption for both teams after disappointing first-round playoff exits in 2014.
But soccer is played on the pitch, not on paper.
It was the Miners who scored an early goal and kept the Stallions’ high-octane offense in check, holding on for a hard-fought 1-0 win and the Region 10 crown.
“We were pretty aware of (Michaela Didericksen),” said Park City head coach Chip Cook, referring to Stansbury’s senior striker and top goal-scorer in the state. “She had her opportunities, but for the most part we contained her.”
Park City dictated the tempo and possession early on, with most of the action taking place in Stansbury’s half. The Stallions managed to play a few early balls through, but Didericksen was either run off the ball or dispossessed by multiple Miner defenders.
In the 15th minute, Stansbury was whistled for a foul just outside the 18-yard box. Senior Bailey Hodgson lined up the free kick and drilled a perfectly placed ball past several defenders into the side netting, putting the Miners up 1-0.
Despite surrendering the early goal, Stansbury coach Jeremy Alverson said the Stallions remained optimistic.
“No one was hanging their heads. She made a good shot," he said. "We typically get two or three (goals) a game. We you give up one and score two or three, it’s usually good enough to win.”
Following the goal, Park City continued to apply pressure in the attacking third. In the 28th minute, Lindsay Gordon dribbled through the Stansbury defense and was taken down just outside the box. Junior Jessica DiCaprio took the free kick but was denied by Stansbury’s senior goalkeeper Natalie Memmott, who turned away the remaining shots she faced in the half.
Toward the end of the first period, Stansbury created better chances. In the 33rd minute, sophomore mid Kendall Bell earned a corner kick and sent a perfectly placed ball to Katrina Clausing, who caught it in mid-air and launched a powerful shot that was stopped by Park City’s senior keeper Hannah Gardner.
“(Hannah) had a great match,” said Cook. “I was proud of the way our whole defense stayed really organized.”
Stansbury continued to test Gardner in the waning minutes of the first half with several good crosses and two free kicks from close range, but the Stallions’ shots were either off target or cleared away. Park City’s junior center back Bailey Hoglin made several key plays to help keep Stansbury scoreless heading into the break.
Both coaches knew the match was far from over.
“We knew they were going to come back,” Cook said. “I told our girls we needed to win the 50-50 balls, we needed to be a little more proactive instead of reactive.”
“We didn’t make any adjustments,” said Alverson. “We told them to just keep putting shots on frame. We felt comfortable with our formation.”
Stansbury possessed the ball much better in the second half and continued to apply pressure on the Park City defense. In the 52nd minute, Stallions’ senior center back Amber Spaulding played a long ball over the top to Didericksen, who ran on and shot, only to be denied by Gardner. Five minutes later Stansbury earned its second corner kick, but Didericksen’s header was again snuffed by Gardner.
Both teams were tired and banged up from the physical play, with Park City ultimately earning 15 fouls compared with four for Stansbury. Alverson sensed time was running out and switched his formation from a 4-4-2 to a 3-4-3, pulling a defender off and adding another forward in an effort to equalize.
In the 68th minute, Didericksen had perhaps her best shot and Gardner her best save of a highlight-reel match. Stansbury’s striker received the ball at the top of the box, spun quickly and drilled a left-footed volley on frame. Gardner’s one-handed reaction save sent the ball over the crossbar and preserved the shutout.
“We had shot after shot,” lamented Alverson, “but it just didn’t happen today.”
If past is prologue, Park City and Stansbury should take care of business Thursday in their regular-season finales against Grantsville and Union, respectively.
First round Class 3A playoff action begins Wednesday, Oct. 14, with Region 10 top seed Park City hosting the fourth seed from Region 11, while Region 10 second seed Stansbury entertains the Region 11 third seed.
Mike Babcock has worked in health care public relations for 15 years. He teaches writing for strategic communication, public relations and advocacy courses at the University of Utah. EMAIL: mbabcock@shrinenet.org