ST. GEORGE - Plain old execution can help a team accomplish much, and that type of approach served the Hurricane Tigers girls soccer team well on Saturday in their 2-1 quarterfinal win over Wasatch.
The Tigers - Region 9's 3A No. 1 seed - hosted the Wasps of Region 10. Wasatch had history on it side, having eliminated Hurricane three times in the state playoffs since 2004. The previous first round meetings came in '04, '06, and last season.
First-year Hurricane coach Lacy Kennington said the players were motivated to deny history repeating.
"They weren't going to let it happen again," Kennington said. "They were more than determined to get by them."
Hurricane's attack was straight-forward and longtime Wasatch coach Dawain Wheatley noticed and appreciated their brilliant simplicity in strategy.
"We knew they were a team that played a little more direct style of soccer," Wheatley said. "Hurricane plays a good steady game the whole time. They don't make too many mistakes and they pounced on mistakes that we made. They weren't major mistakes, but when you play a good team, a little lapse in marking or clearing can cost you."
The first mistake that cost the Wasps came only seven minutes into the match. Tigers forward Shantai Bowen met the ball behind the back line of Wasatch defenders at the 20-yard line and had only the Wasatch goalkeeper between her and the net. Wasps goalie Sierra Wardle committed to coming out and confronting Bowen at the 15-yard line.
Bowen had a choice: put a move on Wardle or load up and kick for glory. Bowen choose to kick, but she did so with precision more so than power. She sent the ball in net for the 1-0 Hurricane lead.
"It was more like a toe punt," Bowen said. "It was just a rush and I just needed to put it in net."
The Wasps answered in the 24th minute when Cassie Coulam took a Tristin Lowe feed at the 10-yard line and tied the score 1-1.
The Tigers' Bowen tallied her second goal and the game-winner into net in the 69th minute. Her 11th goal of the season was a cross from teammate Carly Stratton to make the 2-1 final score.
"It was a nice cross from Carly," Bowen said. "When Carly passes in, I know where it is going. I just have to put my head on it."
Kennington believes in her team and looks forward to next week's semi final round match on Friday.
"These girls have proved that they can get to the finals if they put their mind to it," Kennington said. "They have worked hard all season and have created another opportunity."