SPRINGVILLE — For the first time in 12 years, the Springville boys soccer team is headed to the state semifinals. The Red Devils upended Roy 2-1 in overtime Tuesday afternoon.
With time running out in the second half, Springville's season was all but over. After playing the defending state champions to a standstill for 65 minutes, the Red Devils had finally given up a goal and trailed 1-0.
After several extra minutes of play, Springville was unable to answer, but had one last attempt on a corner kick.
Ben St. Clair launched the kick directly into the waiting hands of Royals goalkeeper Casey Warren. Warren made the catch to essentially end the game, then somehow fumbled the ball into the goal for the tying score as the Springville bench erupted in celebration.
Seconds later, the referee did blow his whistle and, in the second minute of overtime, Nate Teuscher rocketed a 35-yard free kick into the right corner of the goal to give Springville the win.
Red Devils coach Chris Wright was hesitant to use the word "luck" to describe the win, but he does believe that there is a certain magic about his team this year.
"I don't think we were lucky to win today," Wright said. "(The Royals) are a great team and we played them even. But there's always that little element in there. Maybe that was with us today."
Springville now moves on to face Woods Cross in Thursday's semifinals, the same team that eliminated the Red Devils in last year's tournament. It is the furthest any Springville team has ever advanced in the playoffs.
"These boys have worked hard all year. We've pushed them and pushed them. They deserve it and I'm excited," Wright said. "Coming this far is great. Whatever happens on Thursday, happens."
Despite giving up the final two goals, the Royals' Warren had an outstanding game, turning away several aggressive attacks throughout the afternoon. Zach Zimmerman had the lone goal for Roy.
In other prep soccer playoff games Tuesday:
4A QUARTERFINALS
SKY VIEW 1, BOUNTIFUL 0:Eric Anderson scored the lone goal, in the second half, as the Bobcats continued their Cinderella march through the state tournament with a win over the Region 5 champion Braves. Logan Hull picked up the shutout for Sky View.
5A QUARTERFINALS
WEBER 2, RIVERTON 0:Skyler Campbell and Garrett Swift each marked goals in the first half, and Tyrell Farnes earned the shutout, as Weber knocks out Riverton from the playoffs.
LAYTON 1, DAVIS 1 (2OT) (DAVIS WON SHOOTOUT 8-7): The Darts advance to the semifinals as Ryan Robinson buried his shootout attempt in the 12th round of shooters. Davis' Zac Burk and Layton's Kellan Christensen scored in regulation.
VIEWMONT 0, JORDAN 0 (2OT) (JORDAN WON SHOOTOUT 4-2): Beetdiggers keeper Travis Rogers saved two shots in the shootout as Jordan upset Viewmont to advance to the semifinals.
BRIGHTON 2, NORTHRIDGE 1: First-half goals by Matt King and Ryan Ulanch helped the top-ranked Bengals eke past the Knights. Northridge's Blake Neilson cut the deficit to 2-1 with a goal two minutes into the second half, but the Knights couldn't sneak anything else past the stingy Bengals.