"She's a smart player and had a good game for us out there today. We've got a lot of young (energy) on this team and I think you saw that today. It was a good win against a great Timpanogos team." – Alta coach Lee Mitchell

OREM — Region 7 likely got a lot tougher with the inclusion of Alta in the offseason, a fact well noted by defending 4A state champion Timpanogos during its 4-1 loss to the Hawks at home on Tuesday.

The Hawks were led by freshman striker Brecken Mozingo who scored half of her team's goals on the afternoon.

"She's a smart player and had a good game for us out there today," said Alta coach Lee Mitchell. "We've got a lot of young (energy) on this team and I think you saw that today. It was a good win against a great Timpanogos team."

Alta's energy was apparent immediately.

From the outset, the Hawks ramped up the pressure, keeping the ball on Timpanogos' half of the field early and often, striking first around the eighth minute in the first half. The first strike came courtesy of a Breanna DeWaal free kick from just outside of the penalty box. The midfielder struck a ball just below the crossbar and out of the reach of the Timpanogos goaltender for an early 1-0 lead.

The second goal of the first half came off the foot of Mozingo, who sent in a well-placed kick to the back of the net around the 30-minute mark.

Alta's consistent pressure at goal continued in the second half.

Mozingo started off the second half scoring in the 27th minute before striker Meghan Walker topped things off with a goal of her own in the 38th minute. In between Alta's second half goals was Timpanogos forward Jade Christenson putting her team on the board around the 36th minute to prevent the shutout.

With the win, Alta improves to 3-1 overall and 2-0 in Region 7 play. As mentioned, the program is new to Region 7, and to 4A classification, after seeing unprecedented success competing in 5A.

Although a move down in classification may be considered to provide softer competition for the Hawks, Mitchell doesn't see it that way.

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"The teams are just as tough in 4A as they are in 5A. You have some really great teams here and we played one of those teams today," Mitchell said. "I think the difference may be that you have more tough teams in 5A, but the top teams ... they're just as tough here as they were in 5A."

With the loss, Timpanogos falls to 0-3-1 overall and 0-2 in Region 7 play. Next up for the Timberwolves is a Thursday home match versus Mountain View. For Alta, it will travel to take on Timpview also on Thursday.

Email: bgurney@desnews.com

Twitter: @BrandonCGurney

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