OGDEN — In a funny way, the Ogden High School boys soccer team had a hat trick on Saturday.
Lincoln Burns, Taylor Pierce and Ben Point were the three captains for the Tiger team, each scoring in the first half of the 3A state quarterfinals against Juan Diego.
“It's so special. I don't have words for it. I think it all depends on whether the rest of the team can get into position to seize those opportunities,” Burns said. “(Captains) make sure to keep the attitude and morale high. That's what moves things forward. That makes a big difference in the postseason…positive reinforcement.”
No. 3 Ogden scored two goals late in the second half to earn a 5-0 shutout victory over No. 11 Soaring Eagle and advance to the semifinals.
Burns scored on a free kick from near midfield in the 22nd minute to put Ogden (13-3) on the field.
“I've been doing that all season. I saw the keeper a little off the line, so I decided to chip in and see what happens. When he saw me on the field, I told him, I had to show them I couldn't do that,” Burns said. “The goal is always to score. Keep it as close to the net as possible and cause havoc.”
Just over five minutes later, Pierce found the back of the net from the right side, giving Ogden a 3-0 lead heading into halftime. Point completed his “captain's hat trick'' in the 30th minute.
At halftime, Ogden focused on keeping the pressure on, and the Tigers finally put their stamp on victory with goals from Harry Hoskins and Jace Rodriguez 121 seconds apart in the final five minutes.
“We didn't want Juan Diego to think they had a chance to come back, they didn't have a chance,” Burns said. “Just keep playing like we did in the first half, try to score more and get through the rest of the game on track.”
Sophomore goaltender Xavier Pellegrina, with help from his friends, helped the Tigers to their eighth shutout of the year.
“Defense starts with our keeper, Xavier. He's only been playing for us for the first year and he's done a pretty good job,” Burns said. “One of our center backs went down in Game 3 against Davis, but Brayden Wilson really stepped up this year. He had a great season.
“It's like a brotherhood down there, everybody covering for each other and making sure if one guy gets hit the next guy is right there. It's kind of a cycle through,” Burns said.
There wasn't much Pellegrina could do as the defense kept Juan Diego (6-7) away from the net for most of the game.
“We've been working on that all season: communication, moving the ball back and forth, playing from the back,” Pellegrina said.
The Tigers are looking forward to a rematch with No. 2 Morgan, whom they fielded a year ago, in the semifinals on Thursday, May 9th at 3:45 p.m. at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman. Ogden and Morgan split two Region 13 games this year.
“I'm very excited. We got there last year and things didn't go the way we wanted them to. I hope this year is different,” Burns said.
Morgan 3, South Summit 0
MORGAN — Ronan Latchford pitched a shutout and made two saves to help No. 2 Morgan past No. 7 South Summit (9-7) in the 3A state quarterfinals.
Morgan (14-2) had three goals in the first half: Jett Beckstrom in the fourth minute, Trace Henderson in the 19th minute and Nathan Hawes in the 30th minute. Beckstrom, Cody Adams and Connor Canfield each had an assist.
Morgan will next face No. 3 Ogden in the 3A semifinals at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman on Thursday, May 9th at 3:45 p.m. The two tied the season series at 1 win and 1 loss.
ST. Joseph 4, Gunnison Valley 1
OGDEN — Isaiah Flores scored one goal in each half as No. 1 St. Joseph dispatched No. 9 Gunnison Valley (10-5) in the 2A state quarterfinals.
Thomas Paraiso and Daniel Fontes each scored in the first half for Saint Joseph (11-3).
The Jayhawks advance to the 2A semifinals and will take on No. 5 Roland Hall (9-6) at 9 a.m. Thursday, May 9, at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman. St. Joseph won the season series 2-0.
Brett Hein contributed score report.
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