SALEM — Building early point cushions early is key in every sport, but perhaps more significant for soccer, given the premium on scoring even one point.
For Salem Hills, doing as much worked like a charm in its 4-1 win over visiting Woods Cross in the first round of 5A state tournament on Thursday.
“We’re a pretty young team, but we have an experienced core that knows how to play the game. We’ve played some tough teams in our region and hopefully getting through that can help us make a run in this tournament. Today was a good start.” — Salem Hills coach Lee Gillie
The Skyhawks managed to find the back of the net after about 17 minutes played in the first half to build an early 1-0 lead, and more importantly scored with just under four minutes gone in the second to secure a commanding 3-0 margin.
“That one in the second half was really big for us,” said Salem Hills coach Lee Gillie. “It reestablished the momentum we had in the first half, which is big, and allows the girls to have confidence and reassurance in what we’re doing and what’s working. That was definitely a big one for us.”
Scoring that third goal was sophomore Haley Sanders with a full 36:22 left in the first half, which did not come as a surprise to Gillie.
“She’s been doing it all year for us, so no it wasn’t a surprise to see her come through there for what was a really big goal for us,” Gille said.
Closing things off in high fashion was Ellie Harris, who notched the Skyhawks’ final score with just 15.8 seconds left in the match.
“That was really great for her to be able to end it like that. That was a lot of fun for us,” Gillie said.
The two teams battled back and forth throughout the first 17 minutes of the first half before freshman Hattie Parkinson broke through with the first goal scored to take a lot of pressure off the team and build early momentum.
“That first goal didn’t change anything for us with regards to our game plan, but it certainly was big for the girls’ confidence,” Gillie said. “You need something like that to take the pressure off with this being our first round playoff game.”
Ending the first half was Salem Hills junior Whitney Hughes, who squared up a PK attempt to give her team a 2-0 lead going into the half.
For Woods Cross, its lone goal was scored by Kirsten Kirkham in the second half’s 20th minute.
With the win Salem Hills advances to take on Bonneville in the second round of the playoffs on Tuesday.
“We’re a pretty young team, but we have an experienced core that knows how to play the game,” Gillie said. “We’ve played some tough teams in our region and hopefully getting through that can help us make a run in this tournament. Today was a good start.”