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Sandy • Logan coach Sven Rasmussen gathered his team in a circle and bellowed into the crisp autumn air: "We're going to Rio!"

Following a 2014 season where Logan finished in the doldrums of its Region, the Grizzlies are headed to the 3A title game Saturday at Rio Tinto Stadium after a 4-1 victory over Desert Hills.

"We were dead last in Region [11] last year when I took over," Rasmussen said. "This is what a little hard work can do."

Logan was composed and collected from the opening whistle, knocking the ball around in the midfield and slotting through balls past Desert Hills with ease.

Forward Veronica Sullivan opened the scoring in the 15th minute, finding herself in a one-on-one with the Desert Hills goalkeeper. She took a step, fired the ball into the top of the net and sent Logan ahead.

"We played our game," Sullivan said. "We came out with the possession how we always play, it's Logan soccer."

The Thunder, despite an appearance in last year's 3A championship game, looked overwhelmed by the moment and Logan's possession domination. Desert Hills spent most of the first half chasing the action — hoping to capitalize on long shots, chances on the break and a little bit of magic from forward Brooklyn Lott.

Sullivan added a second in the 37th minute after midfielder Demi Lopez hummed a low cross across the box, which the senior buried in the far side of goal.

The game looked out of reach at the halftime whistle, but Desert Hills came alive in the second half, challenging a suddenly harried Logan side with speed and pace.

Midfielder Makayla Lewis broke away in the 54th minute for a charging run and was fouled just inside the box. The referee pointed to the spot and midfielder Kenzie Done buried the penalty into the bottom right of goal to bring the Thunder deficit to 2-1.

Logan looked to be wavering and absorbing Desert Hills' pressure with less enthusiasm. But defender Zhu Parker found the back of the net for Logan's third in the 73rd minute after freshman forward Kennedy Michel delivered a beautiful ball from the corner.

A 79th-minute goal from Demi Lopez put the result to bed for Logan, setting the stage for a quick turnaround for Saturday's championship game against either Cedar or Snow Canyon.

"We worked so hard. I'm just so happy for us," Sullivan said. "I know we're going to come out tomorrow and work even harder."

Twitter: @BrennanJSmith —

3A girls' soccer semifinals

R Logan senior forward Veronica Sullivan scores a brace to send her team to a 3A title game appearance after a 4-1 win over Desert Hills.

• Logan has now scored 14 goals and conceded only two in the team's playoff run to this point.

• Desert Hills, which played in the 3A title game last season and scored 17 goals in the opening two rounds this year, managed to score only on a penalty.

2A semifinals

R Maeser Prep defeated Manti 1-0, and Millard beat Rowland Hall 2-1. Maeser Prep and Millard will meet for the title at 2 p.m. Saturday at Rio TInto Stadium in Sandy.