Region 10 soccer: Flyers, Warriors, Thunder all win as action on the pitch kicks into full gear

Written by E. George Goold
March 18, 2023
Snow Canyon's Will Nadauld (14, blue) crosses a pass in front of Cedar's Ivan Sarabia (14, white) in a Region 10 boys soccer game, St. George, Utah, March 17, 2023 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — A chilly Friday night in St. George did not stop Region 10 soccer teams from completing a full slate of local contests on the pitch. Dixie exploded for five goals and won comfortably at home.

Snow Canyon also defended its home pitch in a tense battle and Desert Hills played a strong second half to win on the road. Defending 4A state champion Crimson Cliffs was off for the night. The Mustangs are off to a 3-1 start and are 1-0 in Region 10.

Dixie 5, Hurricane 1

Several Flyers players contributed and controlled the pace of play all game.

Dixie defeats Hurricane 5-1 in a Region 10 boys soccer game, St. George, Utah, March 17, 2023 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News

“We have a young team this year with good leadership from a few juniors and seniors,” Dixie head coach Travis Wilkinson told St. George News in an email.

“We are fortunate to have two senior captains, Grant Carter and Hayes Thompson, that lead by example on and off the field,” Wilkinson added. 

Andy Lagomarsino converted an assist from Melvin Contreras for Dixie’s first marker in the game against Hurricane.

Contreras was then fouled in the box and scored on the ensuing penalty kick for a 2-nil advantage.

Junior Iker Meza completed a 3-nil first half for Dixie (3-2 overall, 2-0 Region 10) with his goal, assisted by Christian Jimenez.

“Meza is one of the most well-rounded, balanced players I’ve ever coached,” Wilkinson said, noting that Meza’s work rate on defense is sometimes out-shadowed by his “…craftiness in the attack with his game winning impact on assists and scoring goals.”

Lagomarsino tallied Dixie’s fourth goal, finishing a nice assist from Joe Pasley. Hurricane (0-4, 0-1) then got on the scoreboard after Dominique Alarcon netted the Tigers lone marker. Lagomarsino posted the hat trick for Dixie’s last goal, set up by a brilliant through-ball from Contreras.

“Our region is always full of great soccer talent and teams, which makes it a tough battle to the top,” Wilkinson said. “Staying healthy for our team will be key to having a successful season.”

Dixie next plays at Desert Hills on Tuesday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m. Hurricane hosts Pine View at the same date and time.

 

Snow Canyon’s Brandon Gough (7, corner) lines up the cross to score a header past Cedar defender Landon Holley (12, left), in a Region 10 boys soccer game, St. George, Utah, March 17, 2023 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News

Snow Canyon 1, Cedar 0

The Warriors and Reds played a classic one-goal soccer match.

While Snow Canyon had the majority of opportunities, controlling the pace of play through the midfield and possessing the ball offensively for long stretches, Cedar’s quick counterattacks came close to equalizing in a hard-fought game.

Snow Canyon struck about midway through the first half. The Warriors earned a corner kick after pressuring Cedar’s defense.

Will Nadauld’s cross was true, flying over the top of the Reds defenders and dropping right to Brandon Gough, who headed the ball cleanly into the cage for the finish. 

That would be the only score necessary for Snow Canyon (2-3, 1-1) as the Warriors played stout defense in front of goalkeeper Max Torres. Snow Canyon plays at Crimson Cliffs on Tuesday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m.

Cedar (0-6, 0-2) is seeking its first win of the year. The Reds next play on Friday, March 24 at 5:30 p.m. and will host Hurricane.

Desert Hills 3, Pine View 1

Desert Hills defeats Pine View 3-1 in a Region 10 boys soccer game, St. George, Utah, March 17, 2023 | Photo by Aaron Crane, St. George News

Andy Prudencio collected an assist from Estevan Laguna and the home team Panthers took a 1-nil lead into halftime.

But the Thunder rumbled for three unanswered scores in the second session to claim the win.

Gage Lewis scored two of those Thunder goals while Danny Robledo posted the third.

Zach Davis and Dillon Bingham recorded assists for Desert Hills in the victory. The Thunder improved to 3-1-1 to start the season, 2-0 in region play.

Desert Hills hosts Dixie on Tuesday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m. Meanwhile, Pine View (2-3, 0-2) travels to Hurricane for a game at the same date and time.

Photo Gallery

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Eric George Goold came to St. George News from southwestern Colorado, where he was a radio news reporter. He has been a journalist for over 20 years in five different states. He graduated with a master's degree in English from Kansas State University and writes nonfiction as well. Goold has been published in Sunstone Magazine and has done multiple public readings about local history. When he has free time, he enjoys chess, movies and dogs.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews

Free News Delivery by Email

Would you like to have the day's news stories delivered right to your inbox every evening? Enter your email below to start!