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IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)- Hillcrest High School secured a 2-1 victory over Skyline High School in a matchup of state girls soccer contenders at Ravsten Stadium.
Ranked second in the state 5A rankings, Hillcrest held off third-ranked Skyline despite playing down a player for much of the second half.
Both teams entered the contest undefeated in conference play after fighting to a draw in their previous meeting three weeks prior. Hillcrest held a 1-0 lead in the second half when goalkeeper Scarlett Witte exited the penalty box and fouled Skyline’s Macy Marlow. The play resulted in a red card for Witte, ejection from the game and forced the Knights to play shorthanded the rest of the way.
Finley Belnap entered the match off the bench as a substitute goalkeeper following the ejection. Belnap made an immediate impact, stopping a free kick from Skyline’s Kate Johnson. Later in the half, Johnson attempted another long-distance strike, but Belnap recorded another save to keep Hillcrest in front.
With about 18 minutes remaining in the match, Brinley Nelson scored an insurance goal for Hillcrest to extend the lead to 2-0. Skyline avoided a shutout in the closing seconds when Marlow scored a goal, but Hillcrest held on to secure the victory and remain undefeated on the season.
Next up for Hillcrest is a home match against Shelley Saturday night. Skyline will return to Ravsten Stadium Tuesday September 29 to face Century.
