Payson earns playoff berth

SPANISH FORK — When Lee Gillie was named the Payson boys soccer coach, all he wanted to see was his team make the state tournament and improve on last year's one Region 6 win.

On Thursday, the final day of Region 6 play, Payson picked up their second region win of the year by beating Spanish Fork 2-0. Not only did Payson improve on last year's record but they also earned the final playoff spot from Region 6 in next week's 4A state soccer tournament.

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The reward for the Lions win over Spanish Fork is a first-round match up at No. 2 Mountain View next Friday.

"They will be a big task," Gillie said. "There is still a chance. Soccer does involve a little bit of luck. After not being in last year this is a step up. We finally got the luck with us today." Payson's first goal if the game was anything but luck. In the 13th minute Telmo Torres scored on a penalty kick to give the Lions a 1-0 lead.

After a second half full of wind and rain Logan Eversole sealed the win for Payson in the 77th minute when his 35-yard shot bounced over Spanish Fork goalie Jake Watters and into the goal.

"These kinds have worked hard all season and they finally got the luck to bounce their way," Gillie said.

Spanish Fork had a chance to get on the scoreboard when Mike Krueger attempted a penalty kick with under a minute left in the game. But Krueger's kick was stopped by Payson goalie Spencer Nielson to preserve the shut out and begin the celebration.

"We've played hard but the ball has never bounced our way," Torres said.

"We knew it would come. We deserved it. We have never gotten blown out of games. We are a step a head of last year. It feels awesome to win two games.

It feels like we have accomplished something."

In other soccer games:

REGION 5

WOODS CROSS 2, HIGHLAND 1 (OT): Woods Cross needed overtime to put away a tough Highland team in Region 5 play. Ben Clark scored the overtime goal for the Wildcats.

REGION 6

TIMPVIEW 5, AMERICAN FORK 0: Timpview used a balanced team effort to blank American Fork in Region 6 play. Spencer Bardsley and Daniel Aguillera both scored two goals in the win.

PROVO 1, SPRINGVILLE 0: Daniel Spencer led a stout Bulldog defense in helping to shutout the Red Devils in Region 6 play.