Woods Cross, Bountiful fight long, hard to tie

WOODS CROSS — Bountiful's visit to Woods Cross Tuesday afternoon had everything one could want in a rivalry game — well, almost everything.

The game pitted two teams highly ranked — Bountiful No. 1 and Woods Cross No. 4— a big crowd, great offense, superb defense, a possible region title on the line. It was a soccer fan's dream. The only problem was the feeling that things were left a little unsettled after the teams played to a 1-1 draw after 100 minutes of action.

"Those were two really good teams leaving it all out on the field," said Bountiful coach Dave Wigham. "I thought both teams played well enough to win, but sometimes that is just how it goes."

For a pure soccer fan, this was a great game. The midfielders of both teams took turns assuming control and dictating the play. In the opening minutes, it was the Woods Cross trio of Brooke Petersen, Alexis Redd and Ashley Hunter that had the upper-hand and pushed the ball up to the forwards of Kassidy Christensen and the twin sisters Abby and Kelly Robinson.

The pressure they applied resulted in a goal in the 14th minute. Christensen took a pass and after a couple of dribbles slipped a ball through a small opening to Kelly Robinson. She got behind the defense and beat the keeper to the lower right corner of the net.

The fact that Woods Cross could actually score against the Braves gave them an excellent chance. Bountiful has been ranked No. 1 for the last several weeks because of its defense and goalkeeper Molli Merrill. The team has given up only six goals in 11 region games including the one to the Wildcats.

"Our defense has been really strong," said Wigham. "No one in our region has been able to score more than one goal against us. Molli is just nails in goal. She has everything. She's got the size, temperament, training and confidence necessary to be a great goalie."

Bountiful did not let the goal distract it. After the score, the game evened out and both teams had about an equal number of opportunities. Neither could convert on those chances until late in the game.

In the 72nd minute, the Braves midfield of Chelsea Adams, Rachel Messick and Robyn wall started a quick counter-attack. Adams fed a through-ball to Lauren Ridling who beat the defense and Haley Anderson, the Woods Cross keeper, for the equalizer.

The overtime periods did not see many quality scoring chances thanks to the stellar play of both defenses. The sweepers, Christine Quinn for Bountiful and Jenelyn Perry of Woods Cross, kept their teams organized and cleared away any attacks.