Bountiful

In a crucial game last week against Clearfield, the Bountiful girls’ soccer came up short, missing out on the chance to take first in Region 5. 

The Redhawks lost on Sept. 21 to the Falcons—newcomers to Region 5—by the count of 5-2. The loss came at home and wasn’t the close outcome that occurred the last time the teams met on Aug. 24 when Clearfield won 3-2. In this latest game, a rough second half did in the Redhawks. Bountiful finished the regular season at 12-4 overall and 11-3 in Region 5. 

Belle Sorensen and Caroline Hellewell scored in the first half for Bountiful, helping their team achieve a 2-2 tie at halftime. However, things went the wrong way in the second half as Clearfield exploded for three goals. The five goals were the most Bountiful had given up since a season-opening loss to Layton. 

Despite the disappointing defeat, Bountiful bounced back on Tuesday to shut out Box Elder 3-0 at home. Hellewell had two goals, and Sorensen had one in the triumph. Ellyse Kessler was excellent, assisting on all three goals. Daisy Williams got the shutout, her eighth of the season and No. 20.5 for her career. 

The state tournament is set to begin Oct. 4. Bountiful now waits to see what RPI ranking and playoff seeding it gets. The team has some firepower. Sorensen and Hellewell form one of the best one-two punches in the state, with 15 and 14 goals, respectively. Hellewell also has 15 assists. Kessler isn’t far behind. The senior had nine goals and 11 assists this season. 

Ellyse Kessler, Bountiful (12) dances with Claire Hadley (19). The Falcons led the Two-step routine 5 - 2 scoring 3 in the second half. Photo: Carl Page

Woods Cross

The Wildcats won three of their final four games to finish Region 5 with an even 7-7 mark. Woods Cross enters the postseason with an 8-7 record overall. 

Woods Cross upended 6-1 on Sept. 21 in an offensive showcase—especially for Oakley Anderson. The senior had four goals on the day, giving her 19 for the season and 35 for her career. Anderson is ninth in the state and second in Class 5A in goals this season. Also in the game, Nixon Milliron and Clara Howes had goals, while Deja Evans had an assist. Woods Cross scored three times in both halves. 

In the regular-season finale on Tuesday, the Wildcats dropped a 4-2 decision to Northridge on the road. Woods Cross scored a goal in both halves but gave up a pair of goals in the first and second halves too. It was a stark contrast to the previous meeting on Aug. 24 when Woods Cross held the Knights scoreless in a 2-0 victory. 

Viewmont

The Vikings ended up going 3-11 in Region 5 and 4-12 overall this season. Viewmont dropped its final game, a 1-0 loss to Roy. 

On Sept. 21, the team defeated Box Elder 1-0 in a strong defensive performance from the Vikings. Susan Lamb got the shutout in the net, while Annie Layton scored. Tally Smith assisted on Layton’s goal. It was Layton’s fifth goal of the season and Lamb’s third shutout. Smith got her first assist of the year as well. All three players are sophomores, so the future bodes well for Viewmont. 

The Vikings will await word on what RPI ranking they receive.