Logan edges Juan Diego in 3A

DRAPER — For 10 minutes, top-ranked Juan Diego bossed the field and pretty much dominated No. 2 Logan when the squads hooked up in the 3A boys soccer playoffs quarterfinals.

Then Logan figured something out.

"(We) realized we could take them," said midfielder Shay Merrill.

The match was turned on its head after that moment. Juan Diego equalized the score at 1-1 early in the second half, but the Grizzlies surged right back in front and clung to that lead, toppling Class 3A's No. 1 squad Saturday afternoon, 3-2.

"I thought it was a heck of a game," said Logan coach Tod Martin. "That was two great teams — I don't think they were expecting that."

Logan will play Wasatch in the semifinals Friday at 5 p.m. on Cottonwood High's football field.

After leading 1-0 at halftime, Logan wasn't able to maintain its advantage early in the second half. Juan Diego equalized after Kyle Beck beat Logan's onrushing 'keeper to a sweet flick from Kevin Flynn.

But the Grizzlies responded right back to take the lead permanently.

After winning a corner kick in the 50th minute, Merrill cranked the ball past the far post, but Tim Horrocks nodded it back toward the middle, and sweeper Fabrice Ntambwe-Kalala headed it into the net.

From there, Logan largely contained Juan Diego's talented midfield attack and prevented the Soaring Eagle from getting consistent service up to Beck and Flynn.

Martin heaped credit on his three midfield captains — Merrill, James Calvimonte and Horrocks — for keeping control of the Soaring Eagle.

Logan went ahead 3-1 when Edwin Sanchez capitalized on a Juan Diego defending error. Beck, who played extremely well up top, scored again deep into stoppage time to pull the Soaring Eagle within a goal, but it wasn't enough.

All season, the talk has been about Park City and Juan Diego potentially meeting in the state final.

Did that bother Logan?

"We didn't feel disrespected at all," said Martin. "Juan Diego deserved to be talked about."

Added Merrill: "Looks like we found out today who's the best team."