Regina girls a game from state

IOWA CITY - This wasn't necessarily an unusual start for Iowa City Regina, but perhaps a little unsettling considering how easily the Regals handled Mount Vernon just three weeks ago.

The Mustangs scored first, but sixth-ranked Regina tied it up eight minutes later to initiate a three-goal burst in a 10-minute span. Senior Zoe Dutchik scored three goals, assisted one and aided another in a 6-1 Regina victory Friday night in a Class 1A girls' soccer regional semifinal.

“We started off a little bit slow,” Regina Coach Jason Allgood said. “After we settled down, we starting pulling some combinations together and making some nice passes. I think the girls did a nice job.”

The Regals have scored 66 goals in their last eight games, including a 12-0 defeat of Mount Vernon last month. Dutchik, one of the most prolific scorers in the state, netted seven goals in that game.

Regina's first score last night started with a cross from Dutchik that deflected off a defender's leg and scooted past the goalkeeper for an own goal against Mount Vernon with 24 1/2 minutes left in the first half.

Sophomore Jenna Lehman added a goal four minutes later and Dutchik scored about four minutes after that for a 3-1 halftime lead. Dutchik added two goals in the second half, including a deep shot with 3 1/2 minutes left.

Regina (13-3) will play Monday at Dubuque Wahlert for a spot in the state tournament. Wahlert defeated DeWitt Central, 1-0, last night.

“The seniors have been thinking about (state) for four years,” Dutchik said.

Regina junior Tori Lust also scored for Regina in the second half.

The Mustangs (8-8), who beat Solon, 1-0, Tuesday in a quarterfinal, had won three straight games since snapping a four-game skid in mid-May.

Macy Rice gave Mount Vernon an early 1-0 lead. A Regina defender lost possession of the ball trying to clear it out. Rice received a pass and lofted a shot from just inside the penalty box into the top left corner of the goal.

The Mustangs' offensive opportunities were limited, especially in the second half.