Top-ranked Murray feeling good about possible region title after win over East – Deseret News

Finally, with just over 21 minutes left in the game, Colton DeMann, the coach’s grandson, got the ball alone only a few feet from the goal, and ended Murray’s drought.

The Spartans took advantage of that momentum change to apply pressure on East’s defense, and then with 12 minutes remaining, a Spartans’ player was fouled near the goal and Nieto-Rosales sent the penalty kick past the East goalkeeper for his 13^th goal this season and improved Murray’s record to 11-0 overall and 8-0 in region.

With the regular season more than halfway finished, Murray has scored 46 goals and only allowed five. No opponent has scored more than one goal against the Spartans in any game, and Murray goalkeepers Daniel Manila and Grayson Medell have combined to hold six teams scoreless.

The Spartans’ prowess reminds coach DeMann of all the other times Murray has had its sights set on winning state. The most recent trip was two years ago when the Spartans fell to Ridgeline 4-3 in the title contest. Last year, after a 9-0 start, they entered state as the No. 1 and made it to the quarterfinals before being beaten by Mountain View in a shootout.

Friday’s win was Murray’s second of the season over East, which is currently sitting in second place at 8-3 overall and 5-3 in region.

“This game was a lot like those other ones (at state),” coach DeMann said. “A (different) bounce here, a bounce there, and this game could have ended differently. The teams are all so close.”

The Spartans filled their nonregion schedule with 5A and 6A schools nearby, so they aren’t sure how they compare to the other 4A schools when the state tournament starts on May 8. The championship game is scheduled for May 22 at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman.