Sarah Ause, Deseret Morning News
Separated By Class Now, Old Rivals Are Still Equal
by Michael Black, Deseret Morning News
DRAPER— For many years Juan Diego and Waterford were in similar situations, smaller schools playing up in classification for soccer. Times have changed the circumstances but not the rivalry.
Juan Diego's Jennifer Flynn, right, leaps for the ball against Waterford's Elise Peterson.
Juan Diego is now a full-time member of the 3A classification, and Waterford has been forced into the new 2A class. They may be separated, but evidently the teams are still very close in terms of talent and abilities. The teams are so close that a 3-3 draw was a fitting end to the tune-up game played between the two rivals Wednesday afternoon.
"It really only makes sense that this would come out a tie," said Soaring Eagle coach Jamie Schock. "Since I took over the program, we have an exact split with wins, losses and ties with them. We are two programs that are a lot alike."
The two former region opponents scheduled a pair of games this week to prepare for the coming playoffs. Both were seeking tougher competition, and with the two schools playing again this Saturday, they mutually decided to end the game in a draw without overtime. The 80 minutes they did play, however, was exciting and well executed.
Gina Soto got the Ravens started. In the 12th minute she took a pass on the left wing from Lanie Ward. She streaked by the defense and calmly put the ball past the onrushing keeper to the lower-right corner. In a pattern that repeated itself three times, Juan Diego answered. Katie Turnerdrown knocked in a loose ball that found her just a couple of yards from the goal following a scramble from a corner kick.
Soto again put Waterford in front in the 34th minute. Nicole Taylor gave her the ball just outside the penalty area. The freshman took two dribbles toward the left and hit a shot back across the flow and into the right side of the net.
Sophomore Kylee Brown scored just three minutes into the second half to again tie the score. She took a feed from Lexi Phillips at the top of the box and buried a right-foot blast past the keeper. The goal came from the duo that has begun to lead the Soaring Eagle.
"Those two are really starting to establish a great chemistry," said Schock. "Kylee has emerged as our go-to forward, and Lexi has really helped feed her and feed off her to get us going offensively."
After Waterford's all-state midfielder Nicole Taylor once again put the Ravens up in the 65th minute, it was Brown that answered just four minutes later with the game's final tally. With freshman Soto getting two goals for Waterford, and sophomore Brown netting two for Juan Diego, the rivalry may only get better with time.
"I love playing against them," said Brown of meeting Waterford. "We all have a lot of friends that play on the other team, and it is always a good. I am excited to play them again Saturday, and I hope we get to keep playing them every year."