PROVO — A much-improved Provo squad traded blows with Timpanogos on Thursday night in a game that saw three lead changes and ended with a critical come-from-behind win for the T-wolves. Aspyn Farrer had a monster night for Timpanogos, keeping the team's playoff hopes alive as she found a way to be in the right place at the right time to assist or score each of the three goals.
After controlling the midfield for the majority of the first half, the T-wolves finally managed to break Provo's stubborn back line with about five minutes to play. Farrer held off a defender before giving Samantha Brady a perfect lead pass as she streaked toward goal between two defenders. Brady's guided shot to the corner net happened deep inside the box and didn't give Provo's keeper much of a chance.
Then with less than a minute left in the first half, and with only one non-threatening shot attempt on the books, Provo did the unexpected: it scored. Sammy Hatfield won the ball at center field and lobbed it over the top of the defense. In a race against the center back and the keeper, Maddie Gardner reached the ball first and volleyed it over keeper Mia Barlow's head before she could retreat back toward goal for better positioning.
In a blink, Provo had suddenly tied the game and shifted the momentum in its favor. The Bulldogs turned into the clear aggressor at the start of the second half, consistently pushing the ball into the Timberwolves' backfield. The strategy worked. Timpanogos rang up five early penalties as it struggled to regain control of the game, one of which resulted in a free kick at the edge of the penalty box. A large contingency argued against the call, claiming the foul happened inside the penalty box; however, no one from Provo could be heard complaining after Hartfield took full advantage of the opportunity with a blast to the back of the net that put Provo up 2-1.
For Timpanogos, it was like déjà vu coming off its 4-3 loss to Skyridge where it gave up a 3-0 lead. Both games featured a goal being scored off of Timberwolf penalties. Both games featured Timpanogos losing the lead and its composure. But this game ended differently: the Timberwolves found themselves in the mounting pressure.
Not long after Provo's second goal, an ordered sense of purpose and urgency settled over the T-wolves as they mounted attack after attack, switching the field, finding teammates and working together.
Six minutes later, Timpanogos struck gold with its own through ball from Farrer that found Hallie Fernandez racing down the left wing unmarked. Provo's keeper raced out to challenge Fernandez, who unloaded a shot that deflected off the keeper's hands and bounced into the net before she could recover.
The score tied 2-2, Timpanogos and Provo battled in a tense back-and-forth contest. Then with 10 minutes left in the game, Tess Donaldson took matters into her own hands. Anticipating a forward pass from Provo, Donaldson streaked from the backfield and stole the pass. Dribbling up field, she fought through five defenders until she was inside the penalty box. Her skills and determination drew so much attention from the defense that Farrer was able to slip into the box from the wing unnoticed and receive the last-ditch pass off the end of Donaldson's foot. Farrer just beat the keeper and tapped the ball into the net for what proved to be the game-winning goal.
While the outcome remained the same, the last 10 minutes were just as exciting. Hartfield almost slammed home another goal for Provo off another free kick 10 yards outside the penalty box. Her shot ricocheted off the crossbar.
A few minutes later, Fernandez had a pretty drop pass as she cut away from goal and then heeled the ball backward for Brady, who had made a run toward goal from the wing. Brady's shot bounced off the keeper's hands, but she was able to pounce on the ball before Fernandez could finish the deed.
Not to be outdone, in the last seconds of the game, Abby Moore made one of many herculean throw-ins from deep in Timpanogos territory that connected with a teammate's head center goal. Unfortunately for Provo, she was unable to control the ball and after several touches by both teams it was finally cleared out as time expired.
Next game for Timpanogos is against Alta on Sept. 13.
Ben Hutchins is an identity management professional and chapter president of Utah Valley Legends in the League of Utah Writers. He has degrees from Brigham Young University and Syracuse University. EMAIL: ben@benhutchins.com