ST. GEORGE - In her team's recent history. Dixie State women's soccer coach Linda Huddleston knew they had a tendency to play carefully with games on the line.
With first place on the line in the Pac West Conference standings. being cautious barely won out.
Freshman Camille Peterson scored twice in a four-minute span late in the first half. and DSC held on late for a 3-2 victory over Hawaii-Hilo on Friday at Hansen Stadium.
DSC improved to 5-1 (9-4-1 overall) in the Pac West and took hold of first place. Hawaii-Hilo fell to 4-1. 9-4.
In the 41st minute. the midfielder delivered an eagle-eye boot from 30 yards out that found room in the top left corner of the net that broke a 1-1 tie.
"I wasn't thinking about the time. just focusing on getting good touches on the ball." said Peterson. who scored her third and fourth goals of the season.
But instead of being comfortable with a one-goal lead. Peterson took a pass from Erin Beeston (Edmond, OK/Edmond North) in the six-yard box and beat Brown again with only nine seconds left. giving Dixie State a valuable 3-1 lead at the half.
"She's left-footed. so those shots were beautiful." Huddleston said of Peterson. "They were quick shots and she did a great job."
In the second half. the Vulcans lost forward Adele Letro. a transfer from Utah. to a second yellow card in the 69th minute. giving Dixie State an extra player for the rest of the match.
Hawaii-Hilo didn't waste time getting a goal back. Less than a minute after Letro's ejection. Gina Tumasone scored on a breakaway to trim Dixie State's lead to one and tested DSC's mental focus.
"When the other team gets a goal. we break down and don't play mentally tough." Peterson said. "We just told each other to play smart and play our game."
The Vulcans came into play against Dixie State riding an eight-game winning streak and scored first on a controversial play.
In the game's 10th minute. Megan Pachecano took a pass and moved in on a breakaway. beating April Hansen (American Fork. UT/American Fork) on the right side for her 11th goal of the season and a 1-0 lead. The play unfolded as a DSC player argued with a sideline official who had his flag raised.
The play came minutes after the Vulcans denied a glorious Dixie State scoring chance in front. With Hilo goalkeeper Shanna Brown out of position as the ball moved to three different players. Shannon Larsen (Salt Lake City. UT/Skyline HS '06)'s shot found the head of defender Paige Winchester and was deflected away.
After being denied on several more scoring chances. Dixie State finally got the equalizer in the 29th minute when Mikala Wilkes (Cedar Hills. UT/Lone Peak HS '06) booted a bullet into the top right corner of the net off a crossing pass for her 11th goal of the season.
Hawaii-Hilo finishes its road trip at Grand Canyon on Sunday. Dixie State will face the Antelopes at Hansen Stadium on Tuesday.
TOM ZULEWSKI-THE SPECTRUM
