BOUNTIFUL — The Viewmont Vikings are now one game closer to winning the state 5A title.

Behind a goal and an assist by Justin Allen, as well as goals by Elvon Farrell and Matt Nielson, the Vikings were able to advance into the semi-finals, beating the Riverton Silverwolves 3-1 Friday afternoon.

“I thought we got off to a slow start,” said Viewmont coach Dave Wigham.  “But we got that late goal in the half and started to pick up our play a little more.”

The first 39 minutes of the first half were played at or near midfield, with the Vikings taking some early shots on goal that were either sailing over the net or being saved by Riverton’s goal keeper.

Within the first 10 minutes, Allen had set up three cross passes that found their targets - only the shots were being turned away.

After a few quick threats by Riverton between the 30th and 35th minute, the Vikings were able to take control offensively and force a corner kick from the Riverton side.

Allen’s corner kick bounced around a few times before Farrell headed the ball in for the first goal of the match.

“That goal settled us down a lot,” said Allen. “Once that happened, we just started to play our game the way we know how to play it.”

The half ended with the one-goal lead and gave the Vikings all the momentum in the second half.

In the 45th minute, Allen scored his only goal when his free kick found the upper corner of the net for the 2-0 lead.

Allen had a previous shot in the 44th minute from just feet away, but his attempted lob over the goal keeper sailed wide of the net.

Hayden Blackburn got busy at the net during the 55th minute, forced to save a pair of very close shots by Riverton before clearing out the ball.

His first save deflected off his body, where the ball found another Riverton player for a close shot.

His shot landed in the arms of an outstretched Blackburn and was quickly kicked away.

The Vikings' final goal came with Allen feeding Matt Nielson on a good cross pass, giving Viewmont the 3-0 lead with roughly 15 minutes remaining in the match.

The Silverwolves didn’t end up with a zero on the scoreboard, however, when Rob White found the back of the net in the 70th minute to cut the score to 3-1.

The game ended without another threat from either side.

“We could’ve score a few times in those opening minutes,” said Wigham.  “At halftime I just told them to do what we do best and we’ll win the game.

“I thought Lucas (Cawley) had another great game today. His passes were solid and he was great for us out there.”

The Vikings will move onto the semi-finals Tuesday, where they’ll face Alta Hawks at Woods Cross High School.

“We don’t really care who our opponent is, but that’s no disrespect to them,” said Wigham.  “We just concentrate on doing what we need to do to win.”

Afterward, Allen echoed his coach while adding that the team isn’t weak at any position on the field.

“When we play our game, no one can beat us,” he said.  “We’ve got good players everywhere.”

The game Tuesday will kick off at 4 p.m.