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Stepping on to the visiting Skyline pitch, Bayley Bruner held her hand up to block the sun. The Corner Canyon senior knew it was a must win game for the Chargers and felt the pressure to lead by example. Coming off a loss to Timpanogos, Bruner looked past the glaring sky and took her game to the Eagles with a hat trick.
Skyline struck first in the 16th minute with a goal from Jaslyn Masina but Bruner equalized with a solo shot unloaded from midfield. The ball corkscrewed off her right foot as it pierced through a wall of defenders. Bruner said getting on the board took some of the pressure off and allowed her to refocus on her attacking lines.
"That was awesome. Definitely one of my furthest [goals] scored," Bruner said, after Corner Canyon's 4-3 victory. "That's when I started to feel more comfortable and ready to really apply pressure."
She struck again in the closing minutes of the first half by winning a scrum at the top of the box. Splitting two defenders, Bruner juked Skyline's keeper for the second score of the game. Coach Krissa Reinhold said Corner Canyon is dependent upon Bruner for setting the tone and providing leadership through example.
"We were looking for that multi-goal game from Bayley," Reinbold said. "She is always a threat. When she is on she is always dangerous for us."
Bruner found the back of the net in the 50th minute. Working methodically, she showcased her ability to outsprint the defenders and finish with force and accuracy. Charger goalkeeper Eden Withers said that Bruner performance is the spark that drives Corner Canyon.
"She is a blessing — we'd be dead without her," Withers said.
Hallee Jones scored the insurance goal in the 57th minute.
Withers allowed three goals but kept the Chargers in the game with acrobatic stops and key sliding tackles. Reinbold said that the junior keeper is making improvements not only in her shot blocking but controlling her defense.
"My defense can play more comfortably knowing that [Withers] is in goal," Reinhold said. "They know that she can make the save for us." —
Storylines
• Bayley Bruner scored a hat trick for Corner Canyon. Her first multi-goal game of the year.
• Alta transfer Eden Withers earns the victory with 11 stops in goal. It's her eighth win on the year.
• Bruner is not only a captain for the Chargers, she served as homecoming queen last Saturday.