Sandy • Somewhere amid the mass of students was Alta's Derek Boggs, seconds removed from netting the game-winning penalty kick in a 2-2 thriller with Bingham that sent the Hawks to the 5A state semifinals for the first time since 2008.

"You just know where you are going, you see it and you put it in," Boggs said of stepping up to the spot and placing the ball out of Bingham goalkeeper Landon Howard's reach.

The Miners scored on their only shot of the first half when a corner kick rebounded to Sam Erekson, who slipped the ball into the net to take a 1-0 lead. The halftime score was level thanks to Cory Arthur's slick header from a lofty and brilliant midfield service from Riley Fehr.

Bingham scored again in the 56th minute, when Sidney Swasey pounced on a loose ball just in front of goal. The 2-1 lead for Bingham stirred the game into a physical and frenetic affair. Not until the 76th minute did the Hawks equalize, when Korbin Bluth flicked a header in, prefacing two periods of nervy and scoreless overtime.

The penalty shootout seemed an inappropriate way to decide such a gritty and well-played game. But with rivals Alta and Bingham, was it ever going to happen any other way? Alta won the penalty shootout 5-3.

"Once you find yourself down … and it's your last chance to do something, you're going to scrap for everything you can," Boggs said.

Both teams can claim doing just that. Howard made 12 saves as Bingham held tough despite being outshot 24-5.

Viewmont 3, Riverton 1 • The Vikings rolled to their third state semifinals appearance in four years behind goals from Elvon Farrell, Matt Nielson and Justin Allen. Rob White scored in a losing effort for the Silverwolves.

Murray 1, Weber 0 • The Spartans are back in the state semifinals for the second year in a row. Murray will try to reach the championship game for the first time since winning it all in 2001.

Brighton 1, Copper Hills 0 • The Bengals' heart attack postseason continues. After beating Davis in a shootout in the first round, Brighton advanced on Taylor Fankhauser's first-half goal that came directly from a corner kick. —

Highlights

R Alta defeats Bingham in a penalty shootout to advance to the state semifinals for the first time since 2008.

• Bingham held leads of 1-0 and 2-1 but was unable to hold on for the upset win.

• Chris Lowrimore stopped Bingham's third penalty kick, and Derek Boggs netted the game-winner.