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In the terminology of Hunter coach Brett Solberg, rival Taylorsville is "nipping at the heels" of the region-leading Wolverines.

Granger was also looking to get right behind Hunter while the Lancers almost made the top of the Region 2 boys soccer standings a little more crowded Friday.

In the end, though, visiting Hunter (8-3-2, 5-0-1 Region 2) stayed at least a half-step ahead of everyone else by rallying late for a 1-1 tie at Granger (8-3-2, 2-3-1).

The tying goal came just before an extra two minutes of time was added for earlier injuries and delays. Down 1-0, the Wolverines deadlocked the score when junior Jandir Porta penetrated toward the goal from the right corner and had his centering shot bumped in by a Granger defender.

Neither team scored in the two overtime periods, and the game ended in a tie.

"It was pretty fortunate for us," Solberg said about the own goal that knotted the score. "It's not the result we wanted, but it's better than a loss."

In the first overtime period, the Wolverines and Lancers had more bona fide scoring opportunities than the all of the 80 minutes of regulation.

One shot by Hunter senior Josh Hukill was tipped wide by Granger keeper J.J. Parente. Later, Wolverines senior Nathan Gray blasted a shot that Parente deflected just over the crossbar.

"I thought we'd put some away, but it didn't go our way," said Solberg, who added that his squad's energy went up in the extra session.

"I think it was just the attitude. The boys were down on themselves a lot during the game," Solberg said. "They hadn't given up, but they were frustrated with each other. That goal gave them some hope, and they played more like they normally play."

The game was delayed by rain and lightning after five minutes of play. After play resumed nearly an hour later, Granger senior Aureliano Rubio knocked home a rebound shot for a 1-0 lead.

The Lancers also had a golden opportunity in OT on a direct kick from midfield that was nearly headed in by a Hunter defender. But Wolverines keeper Justin Motzkus reacted quickly to the deflection and poked the hot shot just wide of the net.

In the last moments of the second overtime, Rubio was yanked down by a Hunter defender trying to prevent a breakaway goal. The ensuing direct kick from 30 yards out by Lancer Trevor Cobb was knocked away by Motzkus to preserve the tie.

"To beat the No. 1 team in region would've been great, "We just gave up a goal with two minutes left, and that's really tough to lose two points like that." —

Hunter 1, Granger 1 (2OT)

R Hunter escapes a potential first loss in region by recording a goal in the last two minutes of regulation and forcing overtime.

• Wolverines keeper Justin Motzkus and Granger goalie J.J. Parente each tip away a pair of shots in overtime to keep the game tied.

• The host Lancers' goal comes on a rebound from Aureliano Rubio in the seventh minute.