HIGHLAND — Say this much for the Weber and Lone Peak High boys soccer teams — they know drama.
After 80 minutes of scoreless play Tuesday in a 5A state tournament match at Lone Peak, nothing was settled as the Warriors and Knights engaged in an entertaining defensive struggle.
Then, minutes into sudden-death overtime, Weber midfielder Josh Hogge received a pass from Taylor Bowlin, and Hogge's ensuing shot found the back of the net to lift the Warriors to a dramatic 1-0 victory over Lone Peak.
"I saw some open space and I just ripped it," the senior said of his game-winning goal. "I knew it had a pretty good chance of going in. It curved away from (Lone Peak's) goalie."
Following Hogge's game-winner, Weber players celebrated while Lone Peak players collapsed to the turf in disbelief.
"It was a good strike," said Warrior coach Kenny Beus. "It beat the goalie on the back post. Their keeper probably had a hard time seeing the ball through traffic."
Speaking of traffic, Weber endured a long bus ride to Highland, and that might have contributed to the Warriors' sluggishness early in the contest.
"Those long bus rides make you tired," Hogge said. "But you've gotta get up for a playoff game."
Beus was somewhat disappointed with the way his team came out but was, of course, pleased with the way things finished.
"We started a little slow," he said. "We made some sloppy passes. But Lone Peak put some pressure on us. We had a hard time adjusting to the turf. We knew this game would not be easy by any means. In overtime, we really put the pressure on. A win like this gives us confidence as we go on."
With the victory, Weber (10-6-1) advances to the next round of the 5A tournament. Friday, the Warriors host Davis, which defeated Riverton — also on the road — Tuesday.
Weber goalkeeper Lucas Piccolo saved several shots on goal by Lone Peak throughout the game, turning the Knights away time and again.
"He came up with some good stops," Beus said.
"He's been solid all year," Hogge said of Piccolo. "He's the anchor of our defense back there."
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