Nielsen's goal lifts Lions over Devils

PAYSON — All Spencer Nielson wanted was a lucky bounce. Sure enough, with five minutes left in the second overtime period, Nielson blasted a 60-yard free kick from mid field that took a bounce in front of Springville goalie Casey Cropper and rolled into the net to give Payson a 2-1 overtime win over Springville.

"I was hoping for the bounce and I got it," Nielson said of his game-winning shot. "The luck finally bounced our way."

After playing all season in goal, Payson coach Lee Gillie brought Nielson out to play sweeper and moved Ryan Peck into goal. The move worked to perfection. Peck had a solid afternoon in goal while Nielson was all over the field starting the Lions offensive attack.

"He's just an athlete," Gillie said on Nielson. "He's a player that wants the ball when the game is on the line. In goal, he really doesn't have that opportunity. This gives him that opportunity to do it when the game is on the line."

Gillie also hopes Nielson's winning kick signifies a strong finish to the season. Payson opened the season with an unexpected 1-3 Region 6 record and was sitting in fifth place. Now they are back in the race for the playoffs with added confidence.

"I believe it can swing the tide," Gillie said. "We could be tied for third and back in the hunt. We had two region wins last year and we already have two with five games to go."

The most pleasing aspect of Tuesday's win for Gillie was that his team played the entire 95 minutes with no let downs. In previous games the Lions have started strong but then faded as the game went on.

"We gave it our all for the entire duration of the game," Gillie said.

"This is the first complete game we've played from start to finish. Now the key is consistency. We came out mentally strong and did not let down even after Springville put in the first goal."

Bronson Lott put Springville on top 1-0 when he connected on a kick from the center of the 18 that sailed into the top of the net.

With less than a minute to play in the first half Burke Pemberton tied the game at one when he stole the ball from a Springville defender inside the box and then fired a shot past the outstretched hands of Cropper.

Each team had a few opportunities to take the lead in the second half but Cropper and Peck came up with several nice saves to send the game into overtime.

"These are two well-matched teams," Gillie said. "There were moments each team had the momentum."

Luckily, for Gillie and the Lions, they were the ones that ended with the momentum when Nielson connected on his 60-yard free kick.

"I don't know what you can say," Gillie said. "He's known for that. He's got a leg."

In other boys soccer games Tuesday:

REGION 1