BOUNTIFUL -- Call it "Half-court soccer." In a game where Viewmont won 2-0 over Northridge, it was the Viking defense that dominated a Region 1 campaign. In the second half one side of the field is all that was really used Thursday afternoon thanks to a stingy Viewmont defense, and when the ball did cross the midfield line, the Viking defenders quickly sent it packing, giving the Knights very few scoring opportunities. The wet playing field caused problems for the league-leading Vikings. On more than one occasion slips and slides prevented what appeared to be perfect scoring opportunities and at the end of 40 minutes of play, neither team had scored. With 25 minutes left in the first half, a Viking kick in front of Northridge's goal was deflected at the last second by the Knights and the kick went high. Several other Viewmont shots on goal sailed wide and high of the goal. Twice in the first half Viking shots hit the bar denying any point and the first half came to an end with each team scoreless.

Viking Mike Christensen summed it up this way, "Slips and missed scoring opportunities happen. It makes you mad, but you just keep trying."

Northridge's midfield ball control was impressive, but when they crossed to Viewmont's side, the Viking defense broke down the Northridge attacks--leaving them with very few scoring chances.

The game became more physical as the first half came to a close. The second half began with a renewed energy from the Vikings. As soon as the whistle blew, the ball was pushed into Northridge's side of the field where it seldom left in the entire half.

It took Viewmont only eight minutes into the second half to score the game's first goal. Mike Christensen beat the Northridge goalie and put the ball into the net. Christensen scored his second and the game's final score with six minutes remaining.

"The goals felt great," said Christensen. "It took us a while to get rolling, but after we got going it went great. We just started playing our game and we got things done."

When asked about the team's defense, he said, "Our defense was amazing. That's all I have to say. Not very much gets by them. No teams can get open shots. They keep us together and hold us together."

Viewmont's defenders Nate Hill and Shea Miller were instrumental in keeping Northridge not only out of scoring position, but out of Viewmont half of the field.

With only minutes remaining in the game, Northridge put together an attack, but once again the defense came on strong and the game ended in a shut-out for Viking goalie Alex Ipson. The Viewmont win keeps them on top of region play with a 6-2 overall record, 3-2 region record. The loss keeps Northridge in the region's basement with a 0-4 record overall.

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