High school soccer playoffs: Marshall heroic as T-Wolves punch ticket to final

DRAPER — The East High girl's soccer team went home heartbroken and Timpanogos' sophomore Amanda Marshall went home a hero.

Marshall shook off her defender and earned a breakaway goal in the 68th minute of the semifinal contest Tuesday at Juan Diego High School. She put an end to the scoring drought and clinched a spot in the 4A state championship game with a 1-0 victory.

Prior to that goal, the Timberwolves struggled to get things going offensively and head coach Natalyn Lewis encouraged the girls to take advantage of every opportunity.

"We needed to play offense, but they had us back on our heels and it was difficult to get off of them," Lewis said. "I told them, their defense is solid. If they give you any space, you chew it."

Marshall listened and took advantage of a slip up by the East defense late in the second half.

"It was a long ball. I looked up and thought this is my chance to score and put it away," she said. "I knew the keeper would come out."

With a big touch, breakneck speed, and a perfect pop around the emerging keeper, Marshall gave the Timberwolves the 1-0 lead and a ticket to Friday's championship game.

"It was a beautiful goal," coach Lewis said, noting that just a sophomore, Marshall has what it takes to step up and keep her composure in tense situations.

The goal would be the game-changer but a victory wouldn't have been possible without a stellar performance by the Timpanogos defense.

Especially the exceptional play of Timpanogos goalkeeper Sydney Oldroyd. Oldroyd was unyielding as East, the truly dominant team on offense, sent them blazing in all afternoon.

In the 57th minute, East forward Madison Roemer booted one in from the right corner, but Oldroyd leapt up and sent it over the frame with her fingertips.

Minutes later she thwarted another attempt by Peti Manu with a diving save.

"I'm very proud of Sydney," Lewis said. "She had a lot of good saves, but two particular ones were crucial. I'm proud of the whole back line."

The victory was tough to swallow for the East team who truly dominated for much of the game. They pressured every ball on the defensive end and attacked the Timberwolves' net incessantly.

"We didn't get the lucky break that we needed," said Manu.

With the win, Timpanogos will face the Skyline Eagles Friday at 4:30 p.m. in the 4A State Championship game at Rio Tinto stadium.

"We'll have to bring our best and show them who is boss," Oldroyd said.

email: jwilde@desnews.com