Viewmont opens season with win over Bountiful

BOUNTIFUL — It's early August and 95 degrees outside. What a perfect time to start girls' high school soccer again.

"It seems a little early, but the state awarded us two more preseason games a couple of years ago, so we like to crunch those in," said Viewmont coach Russ Godfrey. "With tryouts, we really only get about a week and a half to practice and get four preseason games in, so I wish we could start even a little earlier."

Regardless of the time of year, Godfrey and his Viewmont team looked ready to play. The Vikings jumped out early and showed they will again be a quality team this season in beating Bountiful 4-1 Tuesday afternoon.

It did not take long for Viewmont to net its first goal of the season. Just seven minutes into the contest, Viewmont was awarded a free kick from 30 yards out on the left wing. Lindsay Ellis put a nice, bending ball on the goal. Bountiful keeper Mallory Jensen got a hand on it and tried to punch the ball over the crossbar.

But the ball struck the crossbar and knocked her back across the goal line. She made a point-blank save on Kim Thacker's follow-up shot, but she was still in the goal. Viewmont took the early 1-0 lead.

The remainder of the first half was evenly played. Bountiful appeared to be the more aggressive team. The Braves were pushing players forward, trying to get an equalizer. Viewmont used the opportunity to counter-attack, and a pair of sophomores hooked up on a goal that Bountiful coach Dave Wigham called "world class."

Clancee Miller grabbed control of a ball cleared from the defense and sent a through-ball behind the defense to a sprinting Erin Dalley. The forward blasted a left-foot rocket to the upper "V" for a two-goal lead.

The second half was not played at the same high level as the first. Whether it was the heat, the unfamiliarity of the teams or the coaches experimenting with lineups, there began to be big gaps in the midfield that led to more scoring chances.

Bountiful capitalized with a goal in the 53rd minute. Marie McKenzie took a long shot that Viking keeper Emalee Rogers misplayed. Rebeca Schmidt followed up and closed the gap to one. It was the one mistake that the usually sure-handed Rogers would make.

"She is one of the best keepers in the state," said Godfrey of his star goalie. She backed up her coaches words by not allowing another goal in the game.

Viewmont tacked on two insurance goals by Emily Earnshaw to finish the scoring and give the young Viking team some confidence.