BOUNTIFUL — Through their first seven games this season, the Farmington Phoenix were perfect.
Not literally, as no soccer team is ever truly flawless, but as far as the standings were concerned Farmington was perfect. Through seven games, the Phoenix had yet to lose a single one.
That remains the case through eight.
Farmington defeated rival Viewmont 1-0 Tuesday afternoon at Viewmont High School in a battle between region foes.
Kalea Woodyatt netted the game’s only goal, assisted by Mariane Barber, and Phoenix goalkeeper Naomi Kehl had her sixth clean sheet of the season.
It was Farmington’s third 1-0 victory in its last four games, and Farmington’s ability to close out closely contested games has come as little surprise to the team’s head coach, Sarah Beecher.
“They are so talented individually and that shines in these close games,” she said. “They came in with great knowledge of the game already, but as a coaching staff we have really tried to make them be a team. They have taken what I’ve told them, applied it, and they killed it today. They did really well.”
No group more so than Farmington’s defensive backs.
Going into the game, the Phoenix defense had allowed only three goals, the fewest in the 5A classification, and Tuesday’s game showcased exactly why.
The Phoenix were stout in the final third, connected during nearly every Viewmont attack, and allowed only two shots on frame through 80 minutes.
“(Viewmont) did a very good job attacking us and showing our weaknesses, but when they sent people in back our center backs stayed connected,” Beecher said. “They have been working so well together and I have three (center backs) to choose from. I can throw them in with anyone and they stay connected.”
Whether it be Elizabeth Hoover, Katelyn Morgan, or others, the center of the Farmington defense was nigh unbreakable, and when the Vikings managed to get through, Kehl proved a perfect safety net.
“Our outside backs are phenomenal. They get up and are involved in the attack and when tell them they can’t (go forward) they stay back and are really connected as a team.” — Farmington coach Sarah Beecher
The team’s outside defensive backs were no different, particularly Kennedy Freeman and Emily Deters.
“Our outside backs are phenomenal,” Beecher said. “They get up and are involved in the attack and when tell them they can’t (go forward) they stay back and are really connected as a team.”
The Farmington defense has been a work in progress this season, though, despite the limited amount of goals allowed.
“We had a few close calls in early games this season where we were so bad marking in the middle,” Beecher said.
The Vikings’ attack promised to test that middle, but the Phoenix came through with flying colors.
“We knew that (the Vikings) were very strong in the middle of the field and that they would have three attackers,” said Beecher. “We kind of played in a way where we knew we had to find certain people and mark them. We couldn’t let them get a shot off. The girls have really worked on it defending in the middle of the field, they’ve picked it up a ton and it showed.”
Also evident in the game was the finishing ability of Woodyatt.
The junior midfielder headed in a cross by Barber in the 33rd minute, beating Viewmont goalkeeper Lydia Pitt. It was the type of goal rarely seen in high school soccer, a stunning finish of a well-driven cross.
“You don’t see those, not at all,” said Beecher.
With the win, Farmington improves to 8-0 on the season, 2-0 in Region 5, while Viewmont falls to 2-5-1 overall, 1-1 in region.
“It is always great to beat Viewmont,” Beecher said. “A lot of these girls went to Viewmont last year and we will take a smile home. But there is still a lot more to be ready for the next time we meet them. They are good and I am excited to see them again.”
As for the perfect start, there is nowhere the Phoenix would rather be.
“Our confidence right now is high,” Beecher said. “We were 7-0 before this game, now we are 8-0. I told the girls it is great to be on top, but it is even harder to stay there. We want to keep climbing.”