This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Draper • There is such a big distance between Washington County high schools and their northern Utah counterparts that schools from the two geographic areas seldom meet until the state tournament.
That makes for some interesting comparisons after the first round of the tournament.
That's why Juan Diego's 4-0 victory over Hurricane on Thursday afternoon in the 3A opener was so impressive.
The Soaring Eagle lost two starters to concussions in their final league game, a tie against Uintah, and appeared vulnerable against a good Tiger squad whose record included an early-season tie against defending champion and pre-tournament favorite Dixie.
But with Julien Williams scoring two goals, Andrew Alves scoring off a penalty kick and Jered Mariani adding another one, Juan Diego was never in serious trouble.
Soaring Eagle coach Scott Platz might disagree with that, though.
"It was kind of a battle," said the veteran coach, who used three players who seldom see much varsity action due to the injuries and physical nature of the game. "It wasn't easy by any stretch of the imagination."
The Soaring Eagle also used their veteran defense anchored by goalie Jordan Hendrickson to record a seventh shutout of the season. The team has given up just eight goals this season.
The guys in front of Hendrickson did a good job keeping Hurricane away from the goal, a signature this season.
"We've got a strong group that has been playing together for a long time," said Platz about his defense. "They have got their chemistry figured out with each other."
Williams scored a goal from the right side about 18 minutes into the game. That held up for a 1-0 halftime lead.
In what Platz said was a key moment, Alves scored on a penalty kick called due to a hand ball in the box in front of the goalie. Seconds later, Mariani took a rebound from Alves and poked it in. Williams got his final goal late in the game as insurance.
"This is what happens when we come together as a team," Williams said. "We had camaraderie. Everyone was firing on all cylinders. … I was just in the right place at the right time."
The 3A soccer tournament continues Saturday with home games at the site of the higher seed.
Twitter @tribtomwharton —
Juan Diego 4, Hurricane 0
R Concussions deny Soaring Eagle two varsity players.
• Goalie Jordan Hendrickson gives Juan Diego its seventh shutout of the campaign.