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Murray • Winning is glorious, but it can also be oh so stressful. The two-time Class 4A defending state champions experienced both ends of the spectrum on Tuesday afternoon.

Timpanogos jumped out to an early three-goal advantage in the first round of the postseason after what coach Megan Fereday described as "some of the best soccer we've seen" all season. Then the combination of lapsed play paired with the elite skill of Murray gunner Lizzy Braby turned what appeared to be a sleeper into an anxious final stretch for the Timberwolves, who survived, 3-2, to win their ninth consecutive playoff game.

"We lost some of our composure in the second half — got to hand it to Murray. They fought hard and gave us a good run," Fereday said. "Closer than we'd like."

Timpanogos, the third seed from Region 7, advances to play East, the top-ranked club from Region 5, in the quarterfinals at 4 p.m. on Thursday.

"We're really happy. Obviously we'll take a win to play again," Fereday said.

Early in the first half, Timpanogos' aggressiveness was evident. The Timberwolves were winning every battle for loose balls and setting up numerous fast-break opportunities.

After misfiring on an open net moments prior, Jadie Christenson converted Aspyn Farrer's perfect cross with her noggin on a header.

Shortly thereafter, Christenson led the surge once again, weaving around two defenders in the open field before firing a bullet into the Murray keeper, which subsequently ricocheted back into Erika Kreutzkamp's wheelhouse. The junior then unleashed a laser into the right corner of the net to put the 'Wolves up 2-0.

"In the first half I thought we were combining in the middle, playing what we see, and then we were getting opportunities," Fereday said.

Murray nearly responded on the ensuing possession but its goal was negated with an offside penalty. That allowed Tess Donaldson to extend the lead to 3-0 early in the second half.

But then Braby took over. One the state's most lethal weapons with the ball below her feet ripped two consecutive goals — her 20th and 21st goals of the season — within minutes of each other to pull the Spartans within one goal.

"Lizzy is a great player. She nearly single-handedly took us out. We just needed to have more composure. Going forward it's a good learning lesson for us. We can't take anything for granted."

Following Braby's second goal, Timpanogos keeper Carly Nelson called for the attention of her teammates: "Hey, blue! Listen. We need to go!"

With Murray hunting for another goal, Nelson elevated her performance to match her words of motivation by deflecting another perfectly placed ball from Braby over the crossbar with her fingertips to preserve the win.

"I think they're excited. I think they're determined," Fereday said when asked if she felt there was more pressure on her program as the two-time champions. "The girls came out ready to play in that first 20 minutes. Pretty dominant. The pressure is on their backs, but right now we're focused."

tphibbs@sltrib.com Twitter: @trevorphibbs —

4A girls' soccer

First round, Tuesday

• Timpview 3, Hillcrest 0

• Box Elder 2, Salem Hills 1

• East 3, Springville 1

• Timpanogos 3, Murray 2

• Woods Cross 5, Maple Mountain 2

• Skyline 5, Corner Canyon 2

• Wasatch 1, Bonneville 0 (2OT)

• Alta 7, Olympus 1

Quarterfinals, Thursday

All games at 4 p.m.

• Box Elder at Timpview

• Timpanogos at East

• Woods Cross at Skyline

• Wasatch at Alta Timpanogos wins ninth straight postseason game after jumping out 3-0.

Murray's Lizzy Braby finishes season with 21 goals after scoring twice in the second half.