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BOUNTIFUL — Dillon Tran scored the first two goals for Brighton, then was sidelined with a broken collarbone for the remainder of the game. But Connor Barlow stepped up with four goals and the Bengals prevailed 10-7 over Park City at the Lacrosse State Championship on Saturday night.
Park City's Matt Mersereau was a one-man wrecking crew in the first half, scoring four goals — two unassisted — and two in the last two minutes of the half to close the gap to 5-4.
Park City would get no closer.
Barlow put on a show of his own for the Bengals. After scoring two goals in the first half, he came out on fire and scored the first two goals of the second half.
"I was just in the right place at the right time," Barlow said. But his coach, Steve Gray, declared him "outstanding."
By the fourth period, the Miners looked weary and couldn't solve the Brighton zone. Nate Wilkinson made a couple of spectacular saves for the Bengals, and the Miners were done.
Gray was complimentary to All-American Jayden Haws, who scored one goal. "It is not always how many goals you score," said Gray. "It's his presence out there. The other team has to always be aware of him."
Brighton went undefeated during the regular season, including a victory over Park City earlier in the year.
In the girls championship, Alta kept an unblemished season intact by defeating Riverton 19-3 behind MVP Taylor Dunn. However, it was a team effort with Dunn, Kenzie Sieverts, Nancy Linford and Malia Stephens each scoring three goals.
Dunn said the team worked hard the entire season and did not let up even in practice.
"We did our best whenever we took the field," Dunn said. "It's great to work your butt off and be rewarded for it. It's an indescribable feeling."
She also noted that Riverton had played Alta closer than any other team during the season. Riverton's goalie Megan McCleary turned in a solid effort, recording 19 saves.
"The girls did things the right way," said Alta coach Megan Gorringe. "They worked their hardest every single day. They met every challenge I put in front of them."
Dunn said a key factor that Gorringe emphasized all year long was to "play to win and not just to survive."
The Division II games were very competitive with Timpanogos downing Spanish Fork 7-6 on the boys side, and in the girls tournament, Lone Peak defeated Cache Valley 9-8.
e-mail: wjewkes@desnews.com
