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West Jordan • Fremont coach Fred Smith viewed his team's thrilling 2-1 victory at Copper Hills Tuesday in the first round of the Class 5A boys soccer tournament as someone who has been around the game awhile.

"Soccer is one of those games where you love the game and hate the game," he said. "You can win games that are tight and lose games that are tight. You never know which way it will go."

For the first 54 minutes, this one between two teams who tied for second place in their respective regions didn't seem all that tight.

Fremont's Hunter Behm scored five minutes into the game and added a second goal at the 43:29 mark to give the Silver Wolves what appeared to be a safe 2-0 lead.

But Copper Hills would not quit.

Grizzlies junior Aaron Nixon scored from close range in a scrum in front of the Fremont net to make it 2-1 in the 59th minute. Then Copper Hills began putting constant pressure on Fremont goalie Preston Taylor.

The Grizzlies thought they tied it up in stoppage time when Carlos Vargas' indirect kick from beyond midfield sailed over Taylor's head and into the goal. Officials ruled that because no one had touched the ball, it did not count as a goal.

Copper Hills players and coaches seemed convinced that Taylor had touched it, but the Fremont goalie, who had made a diving save moments earlier, said he did not touch the ball.

Smith said close calls such as that one are part of soccer.

"We feel fortunate," he said.

"It floated more than I expected," said Taylor. "When it came to me, I was surprised and caught off guard. I am glad I didn't touch it."

Behm credited a throw-in from Austin Freeman for setting up his first goal, a flick into the net from point blank range. He said teammate Alec Ferrin set up his second goal, where he dribbled beautifully past a Copper Hills defender for a straight on goal.

"The team trusted me to put it away," he said. "We are out of region and playing the best of the best who made the playoffs for a reason. We had to play to our potential."This was an evenly matched, physical contest that saw both teams receive three yellow cards.

"Region One is tougher than everyone thinks," said Smith. "Up north, we beat each other up, even before when we had Davis and Viewmont in our league. That means we are prepared for the state tournament." —

5A boys soccer

First round, Tuesday

• Lone Peak 2, Hunter 0

• Weber 2, Jordan 1

• Mountain Crest 3, Bingham 2

• Viewmont 2, Pleasant Grove 1

• Sky View 3, Brighton 0

• American Fork 3, Layton 0

• Herriman 0, Davis 0 (Herriman wins PKs 3-2)

• Fremont 2, Copper Hills 1

4A boys' soccer

First round, Wednesday (all games 4 p.m.)

• Uintah at Cyprus

• Bountiful at Provo

• Orem at Ogden

• Olympus at Wasatch

• Alta at East

• Skyline at Maple Mountain

• Spanish Fork at Murray

• Bonneville at Mountain View