This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Sandy • The inaugural season of Ridgeline boys' soccer just might be one the team and school never will forget.

JC Vazquez scored with 50 seconds left in the first half, and the Riverhawks held on for a 2-1 victory against Snow Canyon in the semifinals of the Class 3A state tournament Friday at Alta High.

The Region 11 champs advance to meet defending champion and region mate Juan Diego in Saturday's championship match at Rio Tinto Stadium.

"I'm so excited to play on that field," said Vazquez, a senior. "This team has worked really hard this season, and it's what we deserve. I think after beating this team, we can beat anyone in the state."

Vazquez capitalized on miscommunication between Snow Canyon's goalkeeper and a defender in the final minute of the first half. He was first to the ball at the top of the goal box and got a strong enough touch to send it rolling into the net.

The goal, Vazquez's 17th of the season, came seven minutes after Snow Canyon's Kaden Dorius scored off a corner kick to knot the score.

"This team has a heart," Ridgeline coach JC Vazquez said. "We're new. Many of these kids are playing together for the first time. But since Day 1, we established our goal to be in Rio Tinto, and we've been working very hard — heart and discipline."

Ridgeline junior Kelton Zollinger knocked in a rebound of Mario Saldivar's shot in the 15th minute for the game's first goal.

Two of the game's three goals were scored into a steady and gusty wind from the south.

"At the beginning, we wanted to go with the wind, but we lost the toss," the coach said. "But to have a second goal at the end of the first half, into the wind, that was huge.

"They've been consistent throughout the whole season, and we've been working hard. We talked about just being disciplined, and I think they did that today."

It was 11th consecutive victory for Ridgeline (14-2), dating to a 2-1 loss to Juan Diego on March 31.

The Warriors finished the season 14-3-2. —

Ridgeline 2, Snow Canyon 1

R JC Vazquez's goal in the 40th minute proves to be the game-winner for the Riverhawks.

• Snow Canyon loses for the first time in its past 13 games.

• Ridgeline, which opened its doors in August of last year, won a boys' state basketball championship in February.