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CALDWELL -- Century keeper Brian Lynch evidently relishes these opportunities.

The junior played hero for the Diamondbacks, coming up with a save and getting some help from the post in a penalty-kick shootout that earned Century a 4-2 win in penalty kicks over Skyview after a 2-2 draw after regulation and two 10-minute overtimes in the opening round of the 4A boys' state soccer tournament.

"I wasn't very nervous. I don't know, I just wasn't nervous," Lynch said of the shootout. "I like PKs."

"One save in a PK is more than you can hope for," Century coach Matt Looze added. "Brian could do it. He's an amazing keeper with great reflexes."

Lynch got help on his first save when Skyview's Spencer Stucki hit the right post, then the keeper made a diving save to his right on Amadeo Escobar for a 2-0 lead in the shootout.

Gibril Omar, Talon Wyatt, Brian Kisling and Greg Roberts all converted on their PKs for Century.

Early in the first half, Skyview took the lead when Jason Vasquez pushed home a rebound after a Fredi Rojas corner in the 14th minute.

Century's Garrett Steinfeldt tied it on a perfect free kick from 35 yards out into the upper-left corner for a 1-1 halftime score.

The Hawks regained the lead after Omar Lopez ran a perfect give-and-go with Vasquez, scoring in the 47th minute, but Century answered 1:31 later as Kisling tracked down a long through ball that slipped away from Hawks keeper Kody Hundersmarck and scored in an open net.

"Just a mental lapse, had about three guys make a mental error at the same time, and then they capitalized on it," Skyview coach Dave Hagen said.

The Hawks' best chance to end it before OT came in the 56th minute when Vasquez hit the crossbar, then Escobar headed the rebound just over the net, typical of Skyview's day.

"I think we did everything we could. The ball just didn't go our way today," Hagen said as Skyview slipped to 19-1 on the year.

Century is now 9-2-5 and will play Columbia at 2 p.m. today in the semifinals.

By Mike Stetson

This document was originally published online on Friday, October 24, 2008

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