2A girls' soccer: Rowland Hall overcomes slow start to down ALA

Rowland Hall was shooting every which way.

The Winged Lions took shot after shot toward the American Leadership Academy goal for 15 minutes but couldn't grace the back of the twine.

Coach Jamie Wilhite subbed out attackers, took them to the side and explained to them what they needed to do.

Rowland Hall rolled once that conversation took place.

The Winged Lions defeated ALA 5-1 in the first round of the Class 2A girls' soccer playoffs Wednesday afternoon at Sunnyside Park.

"We definitely were off to a slow start today," Wilhite said. "It was a little frustrating, but I think the good thing is that we were able to regroup and then reassess and then pick it up from there."

They needed to pick it up after going down in the 17th minute.

ALA freshman Elissa Parsons turned a clearance by the Rowland Hall keeper into a 40-yard strike. It was then that Wilhite said her team settled and focused on finding an equalizer.

It came one minute later when freshman Sommer Glasgow knotted up things for Rowland Hall. Jessica Sterrett gave the Winged Lions their first lead of the afternoon not too long after then the flood gates opened.

"I would rather be able to start like that and finish the way we did," Wilhite said.

Senior Katie White scored two goals and junior Grace Veghte put the cherry on top for Rowland Hall as the team celebrated on its home field.

White, one three seniors on the varsity roster, controlled the flow of the match for the Winged Lions by asserting her speed to pester the ALA back line.

"She's a workhorse," Wilhite said about White. "She's very relentless. It's nice to be able to capitalize with those things because she definitely puts the work in. I think a lot of the kids build on that energy."

Rowland Hall marches on to the 2A quarterfinals Saturday, either at Millard or at home against Layton Christian.

"I'm proud of the way the girls finished — even though it came later than we'd hoped," Wilhite said. "I think we saw resiliency and inspiring play on the field." —

2A state soccer tournament

O Wednesday's first round

Waterford 7, Gunnison Valley 1

South Summit 2, Parowan 1

Delta 3, St. Joseph 0

Grand County 1, Maeser Prep 0

Millard 3, Layton Christian 0

Rowland Hall 5, American Leadership 1

Manti 8, South Sevier 0

Summit Academy 8, Diamond Ranch 0

Saturday's quarterfinals

All games at 1 p.m.

South Summit at Waterford

Grand vs. Delta (coin flip will determine home team)

Rowland Hall at Millard

Summit Academy at Manti

Class 4A state tournament

Thursday's state quarterfinals

All games at 4 p.m.

Highland at Mountain View

Bonneville at Timpanogos

Clearfield at Skyline

East at Maple Mountain