WASHINGTON TERRACE — There was a soccer match scheduled between No. 2 seed Bonneville and No. 10 Murray on Thursday afternoon, and a football game broke out.

But Laker junior captain Sadie Beardall said the competition was “definitely physical, not dirty.”

A red card issued against Murray in the 61st minute didn’t have anything to do with the outcome. The Murray foul on Bonneville senior captain Gabrielle Carlson in the box and the resulting penalty kick by Beardall in the 71st minute? It meant all the difference in the world.

Beardall converted the PK and Bonneville advanced to the 5A state semifinals with a rugged 1-0 victory over the Spartans.

“I asked Gabby if she wanted (the kick) when she got fouled and she said she didn’t care,” Beardall said. “I wanted it. I wanted to show up and win the game, not only for my seniors — especially when it’s the last couple of games with my bestest friends — but for everyone on the team.”

With just sterling Murray (13-6) keeper Abby Barlocker between the lonely ball and the net, Beardall approached and grounded a shot into the left corner for what proved to be the game-winner.

“When I kick a PK, I take a deep breath and look at my team and I will not give up. I will give it all for my team. I just look back and go forward,” Beardall said.

Beardall said she felt the Lakers (16-2) were a little tight in the first half, which led to them feeling like maybe they were getting fouled a little more.

“With the higher seed, we wanted to be the ones to get the first ball and keep the 50-50 balls in their half,” she said.

With the season on the line, Bonneville tried to step it up in the second half.

“I think we wanted it more. We had to dig deep and that helped us win the game,” Beardall said. “We needed to stay calm and composed with the ball and keep moving it.”

Murray came into the game sporting a high-powered offense, averaging 3.5 goals per game, but Bonneville recorded its 10th shutout of the season with the help of a stifling defense and goalie Ellie Scholer.

“I have to trust my defense that they can keep it out of the back; they have done a great job this year,” Scholer said. “It’s stressful being back there when it’s 0-0. When they have shots I’ve just learned to read it and have confidence in myself.”

So, it’s back to Juan Diego High School to play the semifinals for the Lakers, the third straight year they have been down this road on the chase for the elusive 5A title.

Bonneville will face No. 6 Lehi (14-3) at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 19, at the Draper school. Lehi topped No. 3 and previously undefeated Cedar Valley on Thursday.

“We have too much soccer to play before we can look to the championship,” Bonneville coach Tyler Anderson said. “We have to deal with them before the championship game.”

Newsletter