DRAPER -- In the state 5-A tournament, there aren't any extra points awarded for style.
A rugged performance on both ends of the field got the job done for Big D.
Despite struggling to get its passing game going on the artificial surface of Juan Diego High School's Soaring Eagle Stadium on Tuesday morning, Region 1 champion Davis High punched its ticket to the state 5-A girls soccer championship game with a 3-0 victory over rival Viewmont.
"Viewmont played tough; it's always a hard game against them, but we kept our composure," Davis central midfielder Kinsee Hall said. "It's exciting to get to play in the championship game. It's what we've been working for."
Davis will face Region 4 champion Alta in Friday's 7 p.m. 5-A title game at Rio Tinto Stadium. It will be the second title game appearance in school history for the Darts (17-2-0), who won the 1996 championship.
Viewmont finished the year at 12-4-3 overall, with three of those losses coming at the hands of Davis.
"I'm proud of the girls for hanging in and battling," Davis coach Soulivanh Phongsavath said. "It was tough for both teams to adjust to the speed of the playing surface."
Viewmont came out strong early, playing fearlessly and aggressively in hopes of keeping its Cinderella tournament run alive.
The Vikings held the Darts potent offensive attack in check for most of the first half, allowing just two quality shots on goal. It took a lucky break in the 61st minute for Davis to finally get untracked.
Senior forward Camille Ostler turned a flip-throw into the game-winning played as it deflected off the head of a Viewmont player and into the net for the 1-0 lead.
"Both teams had trouble getting into any type of rhythm," Phongsavath said. "The girls kept grinding until we eventually got a lucky break on the own goal. After that we finally started to play well and scored some really nice goals."
Junior forward Katie Taylor notched her 23rd assist of the season in the 68th minute, slotting the ball through to sophomore forward Kenzie Harrison, who hit a crossing shot to the far post for a 2-0 lead.
Taylor got involved again in the 77th minute, winning the Darts a free kick on the deep right angle. Senior outside defender Lexi Dunn took the kick and drilled it into the back of the net, the third time this season she has scored against Viewmont on a free kick from similar distance.
Senior goalkeeper Jamie Wilkinson earned the shutout between the pipes, her 11th shutout of the season.
"It feels so awesome (to get to play in the final)," said senior central defender Bailey Eames. "As a senior, this is what you want your last year to be. To go the farthest and do your best."
* DAVIS NOTE: In order to avoid a conflict, Davis has announced that it will change the start time of Friday's home Region 1 football game against Roy to 3 p.m. at Davis High School to allow Darts' fans time to get to Rio Tinto Stadium for the championship game kickoff.
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