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Taylorsville • It seemed at times that as many girls would end up on the ground as upright by the time the clock ran out Thursday.
The Viewmont soccer team endured in a 2-1 victory against Taylorsville, one that rattled a number of the players with checks and bumps. The Vikings (11-1) maintained an unbeaten Region 2 record, well on their way to a No. 1 seed.
The one-goal win was much tougher to come by than the 5-1 decision Viewmont took when it hosted the Warriors.
"They came out and wanted it 100 percent," Viewmont coach Emalee Tate said. "I think they were more ready for the speed of play and played more aggressive."
A loosely called game meant a lot of contact, and players from both teams ended up on the turf with bruises and aches. Only one yellow card was called in the game.
But despite playing more up to the Vikings' physical level, Taylorsville could not stop the goals. Ashley Petersen scored first, notching a score that was so close to being saved the officials had to confer before declaring it a goal. Heidi Lorschieder followed with a second-half strike, an easy finish after driving up the Warriors' side of the field.
The 2-0 lead stood until the 76th minute, when leading 5A scorer Abi Black shot a screaming free kick that slipped through goalkeeper Ashley Earnshaw's hands in a surprising gaffe. The Warriors pressed the attack but never quite could break through again.
Tate said her Viewmont squad, a Class 5A finalist last season, would be happy with the win, but it would need to keep gaining confidence as it finishes the region schedule.
Taylorsville coach West Bludworth said he was happy with the effort he saw from his girls, a promising sign as Taylorsville prepares for the state tournament in the near future.
"That goal gave us some energy and some adrenaline," he said. "We need to learn how to finish those opportunities early and take care of those chances we get."
Twitter: @kylegoon —
Girls' soccer Viewmont 2, Taylorsville 1
• Ashley Petersen and Heidi Lorscheider score as the Vikings take a 2-0 lead.
• 5A leading scorer Abi Black gets a late goal on a free kick.
• Viewmont maintains unbeaten record against Region 2 competition.