American Fork shows it can score in early match

AMERICAN FORK — Scoring goals was a constant struggle for the American Fork girls soccer team last year. This year, American Fork coaches Rob and Jan Vogelsberg were confident that area would improve.

On Tuesday, A.F. opened the 2004 season by beating Pleasant Grove 4-1 in prep girls soccer.

"We scored goals," Rob Vogelsberg said. "The four goals is more then we scored the whole year last year if you take away the Granger game (a 14-goal game). This year we expect to score a lot more because all the girls have played for at least two years."

American Fork did score 12 goals in two games against Spanish Fork last year. But other than that, it only scored one goal the rest of the season.

Karissa Welch led the American Fork offensive attack with two assists and one goal against the Vikings.

Pleasant Grove netted the first goal of the game in the 12th minute off a 40-yard rainbow kick from Jen Pearson.

Following the Vikings' goal, American Fork picked up steam and took control of the game. Gina Thomas tied the game at 1-1 in the 20th minute when she sent a shot from the left side of the field into the top right corner of the net.

"We scored first and it was not a feeling our girls were used to," Pleasant Grove coach Erik Bayles said.

American Fork then took the lead for good in the 28th minute when Adrienne Schneider hooked a 25-yard shot over the outstretched hands of P.G. goalie Kirsten Logan.

Welch scored her goal early in the second half when she rebounded two missed attempts by her teammates five feet in front of the goal.

American Fork's final goal was set up in the 79th minute. After a Schneider missed shot off the crossbar, Stephany Cochran found herself in the right place and headed in the follow-up attempt.

Along with the offensive play, A.F. coaches were pleased with the play of its defense. This year, American Fork boasts many new faces defensively and the coaches weren't sure how quickly the players would develop.

"I was most pleased with our defense," Vogelsberg said. "The girls stepped in and played great. When our other seven substitutes entered the game, we didn't lose anything on the field.

"Our midfield got better control of the ball and we used the wings well. We have a tough preseason and P.G. is a good quality team. This is a good first start for us."

In other prep soccer games Tuesday:

NONREGION

DAVIS 4, WOODS CROSS 1: Linsey Sekulich netted a hat trick in the first half for the Darts in a win over the Wildcats.

MOUNTAIN CREST 5, NORTHRIDGE 1: Mountain Crest's Kim Crosbie earned a hat trick against Northridge in the win at home. Kelsey Ehlers netted the only goal for the Knights.