RIVERTON — Soccer doesn't always reward hard work and good set-up play with goals. You can dominate a match but still come away with nothing if you can't finish.

That's what Riverton found out during the first half of its season-opening 2-0 win over Pleasant Grove Tuesday afternoon. The Silverwolves solid attacking play created a host of good scoring opportunities despite playing into a strong head wind, but they weren't able to finish any of them off.

"We created a lot chances, which I liked," noted coach Paul Moizer, "but we missed them, which I didn't like,"

However, although Riverton didn't create as many chances as they did during the opening 40 minutes, they did something in the second half they couldn't do earlier—stick the ball in the net.

Patrick Doty and Robbie Brito each scored second-half goals as the Silverwolves cruised to a comfortable nonregion victory.

Doty notched the game-winning strike in the 64th minute, running onto a long goal kick and calmly slotting past Pleasant Grove's 'keeper.

Brito iced the contest nine minutes later. The senior midfielder missed a couple great opportunities during the first half, but he gleefully pounced after Pleasant Grove's goalie was only able to beat away a powerful shot by Nate Swank. Brito easily tapped the ball into the net.

"To have a goal in the first match was amazing," said Brito, "but to win our first game 2-0, that puts a big outlook on the rest of the season."

It wasn't an ideal performance by Riverton, but season-openers never are, and Moizer will be quite encouraged with his team's first-half display.

They surprised virtually everyone by carrying almost all the first-half play, even though they were playing into a strong head wind.

What was the key to the Silverwolves early success?

"Short passes and we kept the ball on the ground," said Brito. "That was a big key."

Tuesday's match was the first chance for Riverton forwards Swank and Ryan Smith to play together competitively. Both are sophomores.

On the other hand, Jordan Caballero and Ben Gerun had Pleasant Grove's best chances.

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