Sophomore Tanner Dredge scored two goals in a two-minute span late in the first half and the Wood River High School girls' soccer team went on to defeat previously unbeaten Twin Falls 4-2 Thursday, on the Twin Falls pitch.
Wood River (2-1-0, 0-0-0 league) also got goals by sophomore Taylor Hayes and freshman Sloan Storey to beat its oldest girls' rival, 5A Twin Falls (2-1-0), in the first meeting between the two teams since 2006. Smoke in the Wood River Valley forced the site to move from Hailey to Twin Falls.
Coach Greg Gvozdas was pleased his defense of seniors Sam Johnson, Laura Elgee and Makayla Cappel held down a Bruins squad that had scored 15 goals in its first two wins.
He said, "The defense is playing more as a collective unit and that's good to see." Madison Gove and Cheyenne Swanson were the keepers.
Twin Falls struck first in Thursday's game, but Taylor Hayes equalized in the 17th minute with a cross pass that bounced off a Bruins player and made it into the net. Sloan Storey assisted Dredge's first goal, at 35 minutes. Dredge converted a Devan Annan pass in the 37th minute.
"We were able to attack down the flank with Tanner slashing into the middle. She concentrated well and hit the corners with her shots," Gvozdas said. "It was good to handle the adversity, go down to Twin Falls at the last minute and perform well."
Storey's goal in the 52nd minute made it 4-1 and gave Wood River two triumphs in its three early-season games against tough 4A and 5A opponents. Gvozdas said, "We were excited to have some high-quality games to prepare us for our league competition."
Wood River opens its Great Basin West slate today, Wednesday, Sept. 3 with a 4:30 p.m. home game against Minico (0-2-1) at South Valley Sports Complex, Hailey. Wood River is 22-0 in the series with Minico dating to 1995 including 19 shutouts.
Twin beats Hailey boys 5-2
Wood River junior goalkeeper Colter Brehmer made some spectacular saves, but the Twin Falls Bruins (1-2-0) slipped home five goals and beat the visiting Wolverines 5-2 Thursday in the 40th soccer meeting of the two schools.
Twin Falls now leads the long series 22-12-6.
Austin Cruz, a junior, and sophomore Bryan Donoso scored goals for Wood River (1-2-0, 0-0-0 league).
Coach Matt Phillips' Wolverines begin their Great Basin West slate today, Wednesday, Sept. 3 against Minico at Rupert. Minico (1-1-1) tied Highland 1-1, beat Twin Falls 3-0 and lost to American Falls 3-0.
