Sandy • It takes only one break in a soccer game to win, even if one team seems to have the other pressed into a corner.

In Tuesday's Class 4A semifinal, East was the team that looked on the cusp of winning, holding Timpanogos hostage in its defensive third. The Leopards had few vulnerable moments, but when one came, the Timberwolves were ready.

Amanda Marshall's game-winner in the 68th minute took only seconds from start to finish, but those moments turned out to be the ones that mattered in Timpanogos' 1-0 win over East. Despite all the time the Timberwolves spent on their heels, they will be returning to Rio Tinto Stadium on Friday for the championship game against Skyline.

"We definitely came out a little flat, and East played really excellent in the second half," coach Natalyn Lewis said. "I was screaming on the sidelines that we just had to keep going forward."

When Marshall was subbed in late in the match, Lewis told her she had to score. The forward took the advice to heart, and waited against East's vaunted defense.

An errant pass between defenders turned into an opportunity, and Marshall streaked down the field for a one-on-one matchup with goalkeeper Alex Noorda. It was no contest, as Marshall hit the left corner of the net with ease.

"I was looking for that play-through ball, and I knew they would do it sometime," Marshall said. "When I was running, all I had in my head was, 'This is going to go in. I have to score to change this game.'"

It was a game-changer, deflating East's confidence and shifting momentum. The Leopard put up a barrage of shots on and around the goal before and after Marshall's score, but couldn't find the net.

Timpanogos keeper Sydney Oldroyd made some key saves late, including jumping on a pass in front of goal, to preserve the season-saving shutout.

kgoon@sltrib.com

Twitter: @kylegoon —

Highlights

• Amanda Marshall scores a goal in the 68th minute to get a 1-0 win over East in the 4A semifinals.

• Sydney Oldroyd and the Timpanogos defense shut out a dangerous Leopard offense.

• Timpanogos returns to the Class 4A final after losing to Bonneville last year.