Noah Pogue was a handful for Pleasant Grove in the second round of the 6A state soccer tournament Tuesday. The junior forward lived in the Vikings half of the field, leading Corner Canyon to a 3-2 victory and a spot in the quarterfinals.
The two Region 4 schools had met twice already this year, with each team coming out on top at the other’s home field. Game three saw Pleasant Grove come out on the attack, scoring first and taking a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute on a Luc Holdaway goal. The Chargers remained focused, getting more opportunities as the half wore on.
Corner Canyon head coach Andrew Van Wagenen kept his team focused on the moment. “I try to tell the boys that no matter what happens, if they score or we score first, you always have to keep playing the same way. Play hard. Play good soccer no matter what,” Van Wagenen said. “The boys have faith in themselves. They believe in themselves. They know they can score. They know they can play good soccer. They have developed that habit of always working hard. They stayed composed and kept fighting. I was really impressed to watch them play that way.”
As the first half came to a close, the Chargers pushed the ball ahead into the final third. With just 19 seconds to go in the half, Corner Canyon caught its break when sophomore Samir Cuevas scored an equalizer from 15 yards out, shifting momentum to the visiting Charger sideline.
The momentum was short lived as the Vikings’ attack was revived in the second half, scoring a goal less than 30 seconds into the period. That was when Pogue took matters into his own hands.
Pogue pushed his way past Viking defenders to pick up the game-tying assist, followed by the game-winning goal moments later.
“The boys have faith in themselves. They believe in themselves. They know they can score. They know they can play good soccer.” — Corner Canyon head coach Andrew Van Wagenen
The speedy forward scored his goal in the 53rd minute, hitting an extra gear as he raced past three Pleasant Grove defenders. He rippled the back of the net, shooting across his body with a left-footed dagger that rocketed past Viking goalkeeper Mark Bigelow, giving Corner Canyon its first lead and a ticket to the state quarterfinals.
“I got the ball and didn’t see anyone going forward so I was like ‘I’ll just take it.’ I was pushing it,” Pogue said. The Chargers are glad he did.
“That kid always seems to come out with it. He’ll create something from nothing,” Van Wagenen said. “That type of player can change a game. We’re very fortunate and lucky to have a player like that who on his own can create something, but also play with his team. He was the big difference today. He was a key player.”
Pogue will look to replicate his heroics as Corner Canyon advances to the quarterfinals where it will face the winner of a Weber-Cyprus matchup. That game is scheduled for Thursday, with kickoff set to begin at 4 p.m.