This is the fourth time in five years we’ve played Dixie in the semis or finals, so it’s not like we’re new to playing these guys. – Juan Diego coach Scott Platz
SANDY — In the split second that Juan Diego’s Michael DiGeronimo dribbled 1v1 toward Dixie’s keeper — the same keeper who had spectacularly denied Juan Diego multiples times already — he made a conscious effort to gain his composure.
“I had to settle it down. Slowed the game down, looked for the open space in the bottom left corner,” said DiGeronimo.
Just as he hoped, the senior slotted his shot low and past Dixie’s keeper to clinch Juan Diego’s 1-0 double-overtime victory Friday night at Alta High School.
With the victory, the undefeated Soaring Eagle advance to Saturday’s 3A championship game against Snow Canyon at 11 a.m. at Alta.
Dixie beat Juan Diego in overtime in the semifinals last year en route to the final, and Friday was just another layer in the budding rivalry.
“This is the fourth time in five years we’ve played Dixie in the semis or finals, so it’s not like we’re new to playing these guys,” said Juan Diego coach Scott Platz. “Considering they’re in St. George and we’re in Draper, it’s developed into quite the rivalry at least when it comes to state tournament time.”
In the scoreless first half, neither team could really put its stamp on the game. In the second half though, the field started shifting in Juan Diego’s favor.
It could’ve easily won in regular too had it not been for the terrific goalkeeping of Ethan Poulton. He was solid all game, but particularly in the 71st and then 87th minutes when he denied Juan Diego forward Ruben Castillo.
“Credit to their keeper, he made some great saves that kept us out on a couple occasions when I thought we were going to get there. But as the second half progressed we started to play our game, started to possess the ball a little bit better, found some threatening runs and made some things happen,” said Platz.
With a potential shootout looming as the second overtime began — something Juan Diego definitely didn’t want against Dixie’s sharp keeper — the breakthrough finally came.
Combination play in the middle of the field between DiGeronimo and Castillo eventually sprung DiGeronimo in behind and he was clinical with his finish for the winner.
James Edward is the Deseret News prep editor and Real Salt Lake beat writer. EMAIL: jedward@deseretnews.com