Sterling Wescott's hunch propelled the Utah Blitzz to the Pro Select League national semifinals Saturday.
The veteran Blitzz midfielder assisted on Shane Curran's 70th-minute goal as Utah edged California 1-0 in the Western Conference championship game at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
"Those games are all about emotion," said Utah coach Chris Agnello. "It's all about who comes out with the most heart."
With the victory, the Blitzz earned a spot in the semifinals for the fourth straight year. The two hosts of those semifinal games are decided via a bid process, and the league informed the Blitzz late Saturday that they will host the Wilmington Hammerheads next Saturday at 4 p.m. Utah lost at Wilmington in last year's semifinals.
"It's an amazing feat at any level to advance to the semifinals four straight times," said Agnello.
Wescott has been apart of all four teams but don't try telling him they probably all bleed together.
"It's not old hat at all. It definitely means a lot because of where I am in my career," said Wescott.
While Wescott and Curran deserve considerable praise for teaming up on the game-winner, the conference title wouldn't have been possible without a pair of defenders.
When the Blitzz signed Jimmy Nordberg with four games remaining in the regular season, they had one thing in mind — solidify a sketchy defense. That transaction paid huge dividends as he saved a sure goal from the Gold's Manuel Brasil in the 36th minute.
After dribbling between two Blitzz defenders, and around goalie Chad Sackett, Brasil had an open five-yard shot near the left post. As he gently slotted the ball toward the empty net, Nordberg came flying in with a feet-first slide to knock the ball over the end line.
In the 86th minute, second-half substitute Will Cummins saved another sure goal, this time by clearing a California headed ball off the goal line.
Cummins was one of five substitutes for the Blitzz, most of which weren't a product of fatigue. From the opening whistle, neither team could develop any fluidity.
"We were in a situation today where we didn't have any rhythm," said Agnello. "We couldn't find a touch until we made some substitutions to patch up a few holes."
The first came in the 30th minute, when defender Shawn Cassella was replaced by Ralph Dartt. Even with the subtle change, Utah still wasn't able to generate much of an attack.
At halftime, Agnello continued encouraging his team to get behind the defense to make centering passes instead of randomly booming the ball into the box in hopes of something good happening.
It finally paid off for Wescott midway though the second half as he dribbled around two defenders on the left side of the box. Under normal circumstances, Wescott acknowledged he would have taken the shot, but he was a little off balance, so instead he dribbled toward the end line.
With three California defenders in hot pursuit, just as the ball was about to roll over the line, he passed it back toward the top of the six-yard box, where Curran stood all alone for the easy goal.
"I was hoping someone would be there," said Wescott, who in particular is eager to avenge last year's semifinal loss at Wilmington. "We weren't pleased with how we played last year, me in particular. We want another shot at the final."
E-mail: jedward@desnews.com