WOODS CROSS — The Highland Rams knocked Woods Cross out of the state soccer tournament last fall. Now, tonight at 7 p.m. on the turf at Woods Cross High School, the Rams will face the Region 5 second place Wildcats for the right to move on again in the state tournament.

“Highland knocked us out last year so we know they are a quality team,” said Woods Cross coach Kevin Rigby. “The team is ready to go.”

The Wildcats have only two losses this season, both to cross-town rival and top seeded Bountiful High. Playing in Region 5 with such teams is something Rigby sees as a positive.

“Teams that come out of this Region are ready for the state tournament because of the level of the teams we see each and every game,” Rigby said. “It’s great to come from here this time of year.”

The injuries, especially to key players, have hurt the Wildcats, but if injuries are going to happen, coaches often say let them happened early. The team has been forced to play most of the season without the services of standout Taryn Rose who suffered a season-ending knee injury. But now with the state of the state tournament here, the time is now for the Cats and every other team.

“It’s do or die time for us,” Rigby said. “It should be exciting and a lot of fun. You play all year for this next few weeks.

“Seedings are nice, but there will be surprises by the end of Tuesday. It happens every year.”

sschulte@davisclipper.com