Prep soccer: Layton Christian knocks out Grand to advance in 2A

Layton • This game is one of saves, and they were everywhere Wednesday at Layton Christian. Eagles goalkeeper Berke Kalemoglu dove left and right to make them, and the coach slung an injured player over his shoulder and hauled him off the field for the less traditional sort.

But in Layton Christian's 4-2 win over Grand County in the first round of the Class 2A boys' soccer tournament, the key was the saves that couldn't be made.

The Eagles (7-4) can thank Tanapol Sanguthai for those.

The senior forward scored back-to-back goals midway through the first half to give the Eagles a 2-0 lead and put the visiting Red Devils on their heels.

"I was lucky," Sanguthai said. "I got a fast break. I just got a shot at goal."

All of the game's scoring was done in the first half, as Grand rallied but could not cut the lead to fewer than two goals.

Layton Christian, the No. 2 seed from 2A North, moves on to host Beaver on Saturday.

In that one, the Eagles will have to avoid a bad habit, coach Chris Tatro said.

"For some reason, they always come out with energy, but play to the level of their opponents," Tatro said.

Wednesday, it took Sanguthai's two goals to open the floodgates in a physical game. In the second half, Eagles freshman midfielder Ignacio Baeza, slight of build, injured his ankle at the edge of the 18-yard box. As the game went on, Baeza writhed in pain, prompting Tatro to run out, evaluate his player, and carry him off the field, draped over his left shoulder.

Tatro carried his team literally and Sanguthai did it figuratively. Now, the Eagles must find the same lift in the second round.

"We have four games," Sanguthai said, " and I want to win."

Waterford 7, Millard 1 • The defending champion Ravens didn't skip a beat despite playing on the road for the first round. Six players scored for Waterford — led by Parker Dolbin's two — and Adam Curtis only allowed one score in a strong goalkeeping effort.

Manti 3, Intermountain Christian 0 • After leading only 1-0 at the half, the Templars picked up two more goals to ensure a quarterfinal berth. Three players scored for Manti as Antonio Jiminez recorded the first-round shutout.

St. Joseph 6, Liahona Prep 0 • Five second-half goals helped the Jayhawks shelve the Tigers. Adam Brodstein had a pair of goals, and four others scored for St. Joseph. Mitch Koelher logged the shutout in the victory.

American Leadership Academy 3, Wendover 2 • The Eagles were down 2-1 at the half, but rallied late to pick up the win at home. Cobi Warren was ALA's go-to scorer with two goals, and Zach Hogenson added another in the second half.

Beaver 2, Rowland Hall 2 (4-2 PKs) • The Beavers scored a tremendous upset against Rowland Hall by outlasting the Winged Lions in penalty kicks, 4-2. After two second-half goals tied the game up, Colton Harris stayed tough in goal for Beaver.

Gunnison 2, Oakley 2 (4-3 PKs) • With a winning goal by Travis Carlisle, the Bulldogs edged home team Oakley, 4-3, in penalty kicks. Gunnison was down 2-1 at halftime, but goalkeeper Carlin Johnson kept Oakley out of the net in double overtime and made key saves at the finish.

Wasatch Academy 8, West Ridge Academy 0 • The Tigers earned a blowout against the Eagles, scoring six goals in the first half to erase any doubt. Daniel Cottam kept the clean sheet for Wasatch Academy.