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Show WASATCH COUNTY APRIL 4, 2001 COURIER si = aus se see Soccer Team Gets Two Huge Wins line was as giddy as Kindergarten children before milk and cookies. RUSS RIGGS SPORTS EDITOR “I was mad in the first half because & ure, they were only two regular season games—but last week’s matches with Judge and Uintah had the I couldn’t get past the defense—but one-two touches were the key,” Smith said. “I had to get used to the defense. Hector Armenderaz. Many other times, however, a Judge player would seem to break away from the pack but a Wasatch defender was always there to hound him. : intensity of state playoff games. : And, as the smoke cleared and the dust settled, Wasatch came away with two victories and the early edge ona region title. Behind Craig Santis three goals, the Wasps blazed past Judge 3-1 last Wednesday in an intense, emotion- cards. filled explosion of excitement. Things finally boiled over in the second half when an unkown Judge player took a swing at Wasp Bedane Kennard, who promptly swung back. Referrees rushed to the scene, play- ers from both teams got involved in — Lt the scuffle, and fans charged the field—but in the end, it was Kennard who ended up with a red card and ultimately a seat at the end of the bench, “Tf we could have stepped away, the other guy would have had a red card and we would have been a man up,” ‘Wasatch head coach Dawain Wheatley However, the paul didn’t overshadow the huge Wasatch win—or Smith’s hat trick—as the Wasp’s side- PHOTO Wasatch pulls off two intense wietorles BY RUSS REGS last week. | After playing to a 0-0 tie in a windfilled regulation and two overtime periods, Micah Widen and German Ochoa scored in the first penalty shootout to force sudden death. Justin Banks scored the first goal, Chad Anderson the second, and then Uintah missed their third attempt as Wasatch pulled out the tight victory. Smith actually scored what would Once I got past Both teams looks in the missed some getting three that, I was inthe zone.” got plenty of good first half, but Judge golden opportunities break away shots on goal. One sailed over the goalpost, the next was broken up on a spectacular defensive play by sweeper Aaron Probst, and the other saved by goalie MALL dik. BJ | LLL said. sync,” he said. “But we played well.” Wheatley also sung the praises of Smith, and said that depth at the forward position has allowed players to remain fresh. “He’s doing well—he’ s got great touch and he’s patient,” he added. Wasatch outshot Judge 17-7, and Colby Remund and Chad Anderson picked up assists. In a game equally as important, Wasatch was able to battle through injuries and suspensions and defeated Uintah 1-0 on Friday in a sudden death shootout. Kennard was out for his red card, Probst injured his foot, and Dallas Dean was ejected after two yellow The Bulldogs were able to draw first blood in the second half, as a Judge forward made a nice crossover move, fooled Armenderaz, and softly tapped the ball into the net. Not to be outdone, Wasatch scored 30 seconds later behind the chant of “Wasatch.score!” home Smith right, flat on from the rowdy crowd on a Smith penalty kick. faked to his left, went to the and left the Judge eogi lying his back. A few minutes later, Smith eel again as he juked around a defender and then beat the goalie one-on-one with a move that would have made. Pele proud. Later, Smith had a couple more of his six shots on goal that missed the Grade Level: Sports/Activity: Soccer Other Sport/Activity: Skiing Favorite Music Group: Guns n’ Roses Favorite Movie: Night at the Roxbury Favorite Movie Star: Elizabeth on “Survivor” Favorite Athlete: Pele tory. After humble the match, Whee: was about the victory—citing seven Judge players coming off suspension and inserted into the line-up Favorite Sport: Hunting as the main reason Favorite Food: Twinkies Favorite School Subject: none for victory. “Part of the problem was this wasn’t Person Who Has Influenced You the Most: Jesus Goals for the Future: Mission/College ‘Car You Wish You Had: Audi on Mission mark—before venting his frustration _on his last goal of the afternoon, putting the finishing touches on a 3-1 vic-_ the real Judge team. They were out of have been the game winning goal with two minutes remaining in the first overtime, but a questionable offsides call: halted the Wasps celebration. In regulation, ine packed eight of their tallest defenders in the defensive box—a game plan that was very. effective. “We didn’t adjust Heal well to their heighth,” Wheatley said. Uintah had a couple good shots on goal early, but a diving save by defender Micah Wheatley and solid play by senior Chris Pyper halted the Utes attack. Uintah outshot Wasatch 13-12 for the game. | Wasatch now sits atop region 10 with a perfect 30 record, 7-1 on the year. “We've never been first place this early in the season,” Wheatley said. “We're not going to be able to sneak up on anyone anymore.” The Wasps will play two more tough home games this week, Lehi on Friday and Park City this afternoon. “These will be two emotionally charged games,” Wheatley said. Both games begin at 3:30 p.m. lrpocsisle Put your classified in the newspaper with the LARGEST CIRCULATION IN WASATCH COUNTY! Celine WASATCH Wasatch ene County’s Source COUNTY News ae |