| Prep Soccer Teams Head Into Region 9 Season-Openers Warriors at Tigers,Panthers at Flyers in Region 9 Kick Off |
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Region 9 soccer action kicks off March 23 as boys soccer teams from Hurricane and St. George will square off in their 2007 season-openers. The Snow Canyon Warriors will visit the Hurricane Tigers and the Pine View Panthers will play Dixie at the Flyers field. All four teams anticipate a fiercely competitive season. The popularity of soccer continues to grow in Southern Utah. While northern Utah teams are involved year-round in club competition and other training camps,athletes from Region 9 don't always enjoy the same luxuries of being able to focus their efforts on a single sport. Local athletes are commonly involved in multiple sports one after another. However,Region 9 teams will turn some heads and impress teams statewide with their competitive level of play. Region 9 teams are expected to match strengths with teams from around the state,Snow Canyon coach Kenny Kunde said. Northern Utah teams swept the 3A state tournament a year ago but Southern Utah teams should bring strong competition throughout the season. “As the growth of our community continues,we're going to see a big change in the way soccer is played,”Hurricane coach Lance Jackson said. “Many players have begun playing club soccer and focusing their efforts on one sport.” Teams from northern Utah seem to outmatch most teams from Region 9 when it comes to skill and touch,Jackson said. However,locals teams have proven that they can get the job done in their own way. They don't feel forced to play the way the crowd wants them to. They do what they do best. “Over the last couple years we've done really well as a region,”Jackson said. “We've seen teams advance to the semi-finals and even the finals and this year we should have more teams going further than that. We can really compete a lot better than we have shown in past years.” “This year we should have a really tough region,”Kunde said. “Dixie is definitely the team to beat. They're a strong team and they have several returning seniors. Experience will play a big part for them.” The Flyers will host the Panthers at home at 7 p.m. to begin regional play. The Flyers finished last season at 8-2 having lost in the quarterfinals of the state tournament. The Flyers have several returning players coming back for another season giving them a big advantage when it comes to experience. Led by goalkeeper Andrew Reading the Flyers defensive power has matured over the past few seasons and will allow the Flyers to push the ball on offense. The depth and experience of their team has established them as the region's team to beat. Coming off convincing wins against various northern Utah teams,the Flyers have sent a message to their Region 9 foes that they are ready to play. Pine View's boys finished last season 6-2-1 before losing the state tournament play-in game to Judge Memorial. The Panthers have been red hot in the early stages of the season and head confidently into their season opening matchup against Dixie. Grantsville,Bear River,Wasatch and Park City,all strong teams from northern Utah,have fallen prey to the Panthers so far this season. In a region where defense spells out victory the Panthers are expected to shine. In the Panthers first several games of the pre-season they rarely allowed more than a goal or two to the opposition. The Panthers defensive power and the Flyers offensive quickness make for an exciting season-opener. Having finished 8-2 just a year ago and making it to the quarterfinals of the 2006 playoffs,the Warriors are confident heading into their matchup against the Hurricane Tigers March 23 at 7 p.m. in Hurricane. They look to ride a tough defensive train throughout Region 9 play. “Our team is going to be an extremely tough defensive team this year,”Kunde said. “But Dixie's offensive power is going to be huge. They can score just about whenever they want. In the end soccer comes down to playing the best defense.” The Warriors sweeper Matt Kolar is expected to provide a strong defensive presence and sense of leadership this season,Kunde said. The Warriors goalkeeper Trevor Moore should also motivate his teammates by stopping his share of shots. “Region 9 has always been a competitive region. The competition really helps us in getting ready for the playoffs,”Kunde said. “Some of the regions in northern Utah are lopsided with a couple good teams and others that get blown out. Out region is a lot tighter than that.” The Warriors are coming off well played games against northern Utah teams;however,other showings they'd rather forget have kept them aware of the fact that they've got a lot to work on,Kunde continued. Being more efficient in shooting on goal and turning up their energy on defense are some aspects of the game the Warriors need to focus on. “We sat down with our team captains and set goals together,”Kunde said. “We really believe we can win the region title if we work well and play well together. With the state tournament down here this year we really want to finish on top of the region so we can stay here in the playoffs.” The Hurricane Tigers finished 3-5-1 in 2006 regional play and were beaten by Granite in the state tournament play-in game. The Tigers young team looks to establish themselves as a tough Region 9 competitor early in the season. “As a coach I think you always want more time to prepare,but at this point we hope to be ready,” Jackson said. “We'll do well as a team. We're young,but we're going to be just fine.” Members of the Tigers team have come together,as have many Region 9 teams,to establish goals for the season. Long term goals include finishing in the top three in region standing and making it to the state tournament. They also look to improve their skills by frequently reporting progress to their coaches. “This is a defensive game. Being sharp on defense is our number one priority,”Jackson said. “Most goals that are scored in games come from defensive mistakes. Defense is a big key to the game.” Region 9 soccer will be underway March 23 as teams kick off the 2007 boys soccer season. The Panthers face the Flyers and the Warriors face the Tigers. Each squad leans on its own strengths;yet,each match is sure to entertain all spectators from start to finish. Bookmark & Share              |