Wood Cross • In the days Alta spent preparing for its semifinal with top-ranked Viewmont, the Hawks focused on defense.

They had to, given Viewmont's 61 goals in 19 games. Entering Tuesday, the Vikings hadn't been shut out.

Then they ran into the prepared Alta Hawks.

The Region 4 champions shut down Viewmont's vaunted attack, winning 2-0 to advance to the state championship for the first time since 2006. They will play region rival Brighton for the title Thursday at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy.

"I think that, in terms of good, quality chances, we shut them down," Alta goalkeeper Chris Lowrimore said.

As time ran out, the Vikings also began to melt down. Three players received red cards in the final 10 minutes for arguing with the referee. The Vikings lost leading scorer Justin Allen, as well as Bryan Nance and Dillon Richins on soft red cards, all before Alta's Spencer Richards scored the Hawks' decisive second goal in the 78th minute.

Before Viewmont's players began acting as if they wanted to give the game away, however, the Hawks took it. Cory Arthur scored in the first half, and the defense, in addition to Lowrimore, was led by shut-down performances from Riley Fehr and Connor Sheffield.

"They're just incredible," coach Lee Mitchell said. "These boys have done some incredible things."

In two games between Brighton and Alta this season, the Hawks won once and drew in the other. The win, 1-0, came on May 7 in a game that was a preview for Thursday.

It was for a championship — Region 4 — and it was played at Rio Tinto Stadium.

Brighton 3, Murray 1 • Despite trailing at half, the favored Bengals rallied on second-half goals from Skyler Milne, James Carrigan and Connor Colletti to top the Region 2 champs and advance to the 5A championship. It's a welcome return for Brighton, which won state titles each year from 2007 through 2009 but was upset by Murray last year in the 5A quarterfinals.

"It feels like the fates are aligning," junior forward Taylor Fankhouser said.

Alex Souvall scored in the 35th minute for Murray after his shot ricocheted as Brighton goalkeeper Aaron Stoddard attempted to punch it away. The Spartans didn't seriously threaten for the rest of the game.

The result is another critical game between rivals.

"It's Alta-Brighton," Bengals coach Russ Boyer said. "That's what it is now."

boram@sltrib.com —

5A soccer championship

P Alta vs. Brighton, 4:30 p.m. Thursday at Rio Tinto Stadium —

Highlights

R Brighton scored more than two goals for just the fifth time this season.

• Alta and Brighton played to a draw April 14, and the Hawks beat Brighton 1-0 on May 7 at Rio Tinto Stadium.