High school soccer: Davis clinches Region 1 title

KAYSVILLE— After falling behind in the second half, Davis was able to score a pair of goals to pick up a 2-1 win over Viewmont and the Region 1 championship with the victory.

The Vikings were able to get on the board first, after Dillon Richin converted a penalty kick to give Viewmont the lead.

"We took it as a challenge," said Davis head coach Souli Phongsavath. "It was perfect to prepare us for the adversity we're going to face in playoffs. We've never fallen behind in regulation, so I've yet to see a response.

The response came less than 10 minutes later, when senior Jake McRae was able to penetrate the Viewmont defense in the box and put in a left-footed goal.

"Coach told me I need to start going at it and beat my opponents, and it really helped with my confidence," McRae said.

After the tying goal, things got very physical. A series of free kicks and yellow cards were handed out, but Davis didn't lose its composure.

Fighting through the physicality, Casey Black was able to beat his defender and make a play on the ball to score the game winner.

"He's always dangerous," Phongsavath said. "If you give him even a small opportunity, he'll magnify it and make you pay."

Black almost scored another goal less than 10 minutes later but was still satisfied with the first one.

"When you play soccer you have a chance to score goals, but to score the winning goal in this rivalry game is unbelievable."

Black, the 5A leader in scoring, recorded his 23rd goal of the season. But he acknowledged that those goals are all thanks to his team.

"Without my team those 23 goals are nothing," said Black.

The Vikings' last scoring opportunity came when Justin Allen chipped a great ball into the box, but a header by Kevin Tarma just missed right of the post.

Davis was able to clinch the region championship and has the opportunity to host two playoff games at its home field.

"It's great for us to be able to get into stride on our home pitch, especially in playoffs," said Black.

e-mail: cjohnson@desnews.com