Albuquerque, NM – The Far West Regional Championships reached another level of intensity Friday, as the quarterfinals kicked off and the top teams started hitting their stride.

It was a great day for the Pacific Northwest and the Rocky Mountain regions as they – not the teams from Southern or Northern California – stole the spotlight in the quarterfinals.

Here are some of Friday's highlights:

Pacific Northwest: U15 G – FWU Reign Purple 2, Boise Capitals 2, (FWU Wins 4-3 PKs)

In easily the most entertaining match of the day, Federal Way Soccer’s U15 Girls edged the Boise Capitals in a thriller that really could have gone either way.

The Capitals got the early edge when midfielder Hannah Frakes ended a scramble in the box by knocking it home for a goal just before halftime, but Reign’s Shyann Glasser equalized at the beginning of the second half, and the score held to the final whistle.

In the second overtime, forward Jeanette Webster put Reign ahead 2-1, and midfielders Mariah O’Neill and Brie Hooks appeared to have complete control of the game. But in the blink of an eye Capitals winger Alyssa Graham sent in a cross that Reign goalie Sarah Shimer could not handle, and Claire Goss was there to smash it in and tie the game.

In the shootout that ensued, though, Shimer redeemed herself, blocking two Capital PKs, and Emma Healey hit the winning shot to send Reign to the semi-finals.

U18 G – THUSC United Neon 2, Les Bois 1 (OT) (Pac. NW)

This was another hair-raising overtime affair, which saw Neon’s Brittney Olijar score in the second half to send the game into overtime. The game was fairly even, but Les Bois suffered heartbreak in overtime when a cross from Neon’s Hannah Scott was bumped into the net by a defender for an own goal, giving Neon a ticket to the next round.

U15 B – Boise Nationals Barcelona 2, Colorado Rapids Burgundy 0

Jacob Szuch put Boise ahead early by finishing a penalty kick in the first half, and Logan Tooley hammered the nail in the coffin in the 80th minute. All the Rapids (including the goalkeeper) were pushing up in a desperate attempt to tie the game, but Tooley got the ball on a counterattack and lofted the ball over the ‘keeper from 30 yards out for the win.

U15 B – Eastside FC Red – Strom 2, Sereno South 95 Boys 1

James Molyneux-Elliot was instrumental as the focal point of Eastside’s attack, but Jordan Morris hit the game-winner in the 79th minute to send ecstatic Eastside into the semi-finals.

Rocky Mountains: U15 B – Neusport FC 2, Albion FC 1

Neusport dominated the group stage, winnings all three games by a combined score of 14-3; but they had their hands full in this one, and were somewhat fortunate to advance. 

Saul Aguirre scored to put Neusport ahead early, and although Shane Mahvi equalized for Albion in the second half, Neusport got a gift when Albion scored a late own-goal to send Neusport through to the next round.

U15 G – Real Colorado National 2, Arsenal FC 1

Real Colorado faced a very strong Arsenal team in the quarterfinals, and even though they dominated for the majority of the game, they’re somewhat fortunate to be through to the quarterfinals. Candace Cepher’s shot from 35 yards out took a wild bounce, right over the Arsenal goalie’s head and into the goal.

Though Arsenal tied minutes later, Colorado’s possession was too much, and Janine Beckie finished a close-range shot to give her team the victory.
 
U16 B – Sereno FC 2, Vegas Surf 94 1 (OT)

This game was heated from start to finish, and though the Surf dominated for most of the game – with Edgar Nava getting a goal to put the Surf on top in the first half – Sereno benefitted from two PKs in the second half, which Angel Rascon finished to put Sereno on top 2-1.

It was an extremely physical affair, and it finished with an ugly skirmish that saw several players on the Vegas side escorted off the field.

U16 B – NM Rush Argonauts 2, La Roca Premier 1

Isaiah Madrid was huge, scoring two goals, while midfielder Charles Clepac had a great all-around game for the Rush. La Roca’s Maikon Orellana looked extremely dangerous and Richard Haddock scored, but the Rush held on for the win in the end.

U17 B – Gilbert Arsenal 93 Premier 1, Real So Cal White 0 (OT)

Another overtime thriller, this game was wide open with plenty of opportunities for both sides. So Cal’s Ethan Mark had several good looks on goal late in the game, but Arsenal’s Charles LaPose threatened all day long and finally got the game winner off a close-range strike in double-overtime. 

Overall, it was day that had a little bit of everything, and the draw set up perfectly for the semi-finals.

Here is Saturday’s complete semi-final draw.

U12 Boys:

Arsenal Co Gold vs. Crossfire Premier-James
Sparta 98 Premier JK vs. Santa Barbara SC

U12 Girls:

Arsenal FC vs. Crossfire Premier-Reynolds
Real Co National vs. NWN G97 Red

U13 Boys:

HSC Bulls 97 vs. FC Las Vegas
LAFC Chelsea vs. Cascade FC Boca Jr.

U13 Girls:

San Diego Surf White vs. Sereno 97 White
Leahi 97 Premier vs. Mustang Mavericks

U14 Boys:

Crossfire Premier-McCormick vs. Santa Clara Sporting 95
South Coast Bayern vs. WSM Galacticos

U14 Girls:

Arsenal FC vs. Foothill MVLA Lightning
Neusport FC 96 Green vs. Mustang Fury

U15 Boys:

Mt Hamilton PAC Tigres vs. Eastside FC Red – Strom
Neusport FC 95 Green vs. Boise Nationals Barcelona

U15 Girls:

Mustang Blast vs. FWU Reign Purple
SD Surf White vs. Real Co National

U16 Boys:

Sereno 94 White vs. NM Rush Argonauts
Slammers FC vs. WSM Premier

U16 Girls:

SD Surf White vs. Colorado Rush Nike 
Legends FC vs. Slammers FC

U17 Boys:

West Coast FC vs. United FC
Elite FC Gladiators vs. Gilbert Arsenal 93 Premier

U17 Girls:

Real So Cal White vs. So Cal Blues
Pride Predators vs. De Anza Force 92 Blue

U18 Boys:

ESUFC 91B Liverpool Red vs. Snohomish United Black
Inter FC 92 Premier vs. Rio Vista FC 92

U18 Girls:

THUSC - United Neon vs. Laguna Hill Eclipse
Co Storm Acad. Copa vs. De Anza Force 91 Blue

U19 Boys:

NM Rush Red Star vs. Sereno 91 White
Westside Metro Internationals vs. Co Rush Nike

U19 Girls:

Real Co National vs. So. Alameda County CA Northstars
Slammers FC vs. Alameda SC Flash