Springville • On the strength of perfect execution on free kicks, the Mountain Crest Mustangs advanced to the Class 4A soccer semifinals with a 2-0 victory against Springville on Friday.

The first score came in the 33rd minute, when Brett Adair took advantage of a Springville defense that had failed to get into position quickly. Adair took a quick shot and found the back of the net.

"I went to take it, and Jaycson Yeates told me to take a quick one, so I just took the shot and, luckily, it went in," Adair said.

The Mustangs took advantage of the free kick again early in the second half. In the 48th minute, Mountain Crest lofted a high kick from 40 yards away that was cleanly headed into the goal by Mike Pignataro.

"It's a very good feeling to come through and perform like this after struggling a little bit in our region," said coach Mike Gurney. "In tournament play, you get very few chances, and today, we did what we had to do."

After the second goal, the Mustangs dropped nine players back. Despite the move, Springville finally got its offense going and attacked the Mustangs relentlessly, but to no avail.

"That was a heck of a defensive effort the last 20 minutes," Gurney said. "The guys have been going out and just playing with heart in our last two games."

Adair said the team lost focus in the middle of its regional season but got it back just in time.

"We've just buckled down and looked at what we had to do, and hopefully, we can keep doing it," he said.

Dixie 1, East 0 • A first-half goal from Trenton Truman was all the scoring the Flyers needed.

Mountain View 2, Bountiful 1 • Chris Reyes and Alex Cordero scored goals just minutes apart, as the Mountain View Bruins advanced to the 4A semifinals.

Highland 0, Box Elder 0 (Highland 3-0 in shootout) • After battling to a scoreless draw through two overtimes, Highland goalkeeper Hayes Hicken saved the first three shots he faced in a shootout. —

Highlights

R Both of Mountain Crest's goals came via the free kick. The Mustangs scored in the 33rd minute, then converted another free kick early in the second half.

• Despite finishing third in Region 5, Mountain Crest is the only team from the region stillin the 4A tournament.