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Olympus boys off to good start in region boys soccer race

Apr 29, 2019 08:42AM ● By Josh Mc Fadden

Josh Gubler takes a free kick during a preseason game. The Titans are off to a hot start in region play. (Justin Adams/City Journals)

By Josh McFadden | [email protected]

At about the halfway point of the region schedule, the Olympus boys soccer team was right where it wanted to be: on top.

The Titans started off league play with a 3-0-1 record, which was just part of its glossy 7-1-2 overall record through 10 games. The team’s only loss at that point was a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Region 7 power Brighton.

Once region games got underway, Olympus used its defense to stifle opponents. 

Through four league contests, the Titans allowed just one goal, which occurred in a 3-1 victory over East on April 16. In fact, if you take away the three scores Brighton accumulated in Olympus’ loss, the Titans surrendered three goals through the first 10 games. 

The Titans didn’t exactly start of the Region 6 slate with a bang.

Olympus struggled with last-place Highland — a team that didn’t win a game last season — in the region opener on April 5. The two foes played to a scoreless tie after two halves and an overtime session couldn’t decide the matter. This was on the heels of a scoreless tie with Cyprus three days earlier. 

Din Huremovic rounds a defender in Olympus victory over Riverton. (Justin Adams/City Journals)

 

While the offense didn’t exactly light things up in the next two games (both wins), it did enough to get past Skyline and Murray 1-0 and 1-0, respectively. The defense was outstanding, led by goalie Ian Jones, who entered Olympus’ April 19 game with West with six shutouts to his credit. Ervin Huremovic scored against Skyline, and Adam Naylor scored the game’s only goal against Murray. 

The win over East on April 16 saw the Titans get back on track offensively, scoring their most goals in a game since posting six in a shutout victory over Springville on March 27. Austin Raddon, Canyon Czapla and Din Huremovic tallied goals in that key victory. 

Huremovic paces the team in scoring with five goals through the first 10 outings. Naylor, Czapla and Lincoln Buchanon each had three at this point. 

The game against West on April 19 was a critical one for both squads. Leading up to the game, West was right behind Olympus with a 3-1-0 mark. Three first half goals allowed the Titans to prevail over West 3-2. The two teams will play again on May 7 at Olympus to wrap up the regular season. 

The Titans will qualify for the Class 5A state tournament if they finish in the top four of the six-team region. However, Olympus is aiming for a top seed in the playoffs. By finishing first or second in the region standings, it will get a first-round home game.