High school soccer: Granger shuts out Weber to move on in 5A playoffs

WEST VALLEY CITY — The Granger High boys soccer team took advantage of an early goal and played strong defense the rest of the way as the Lancers topped Weber in the first round of the 5A playoffs Tuesday afternoon.

"It's fantastic to win a game in the first round," said Granger coach Hyrum Okeson. "We've been stuck in the first round for the last three years so it's nice to get out of the first round."

Although Weber controlled possession for most of the game, Granger relied on a fourth-minute goal by Elias Hatungimana as the game winner.

"We knew that if we kept the ball at our feet, that Elias could finish it for us," Okeson said. "He's a great finisher."

The Warriors maintained composure throughout the game, and had one or two bounces gone their way, the outcome may have been different.

Granger survived a Weber penalty kick attempt in the 52nd minute and a Warriors shot attempt went just over the crossbar in the 75th.

"That's been the story of our season," said Weber coach Jan Swift. "We haven't had a ball bounce our way this year."

Swift said losing in the first round is a disappointment, particularly because he believes his team had enough talent to continue.

"I think we had a team that could have gone far," Swift said.

"We had a lot of good young men. (Granger) played tough. They finished and they deserved to win."

Okeson said he was impressed with his team's defensive effort and commended the play of goalkeeper Michael Argumedo, who pitched his eighth shutout of the season.

"We have a very solid defense," Okeson said.

He acknowledged the close calls and said the outcome could easily have been different.

"We only run three defenders, so we kind of live and die by those bounces," he said.

He said he is proud of his team's performance and he is looking forward to advancing in the playoffs.

"We are the region champs," he said. "People didn't expect us to do well in the playoffs. We weren't mentioned in any of the reports. We're going to work hard and try to get a win."