SPEARFISH — Evan Duncan found the back of the net with about a minute remaining, and seventh-seeded Spearfish edged No. 10 Sioux Falls Roosevelt 1-0 in the first round of the Class AA boys soccer playoffs Tuesday at the Black Hills Energy Sports Complex.
The late strike broke a scoreless deadlock and sent the Spartans into the state quarterfinals.
A one-goal difference
With the match scoreless and the clock winding down, the teams appeared headed for extra time. Duncan, a junior, made sure that never happened, delivering the game’s only goal in the final minute and sending the home fans into celebration.
Spearfish’s defense made the lone goal stand up, keeping Roosevelt off the scoreboard from start to finish.
The victory pushed Spearfish to 10-2-3 in its first season under head coach Anthony Bradley. The Spartans have not lost since Aug. 29 and have won four straight at home.
Roosevelt’s season ends at 5-5-3.
Up next: a road test at Watertown
Spearfish travels to second-seeded Watertown for a Class AA quarterfinal on Saturday, Oct. 10.
The Arrows will be a stiff challenge. Watertown improved to 13-1-1 with a 6-0 rout of Pierre on Tuesday, its 10th consecutive win, and has not allowed a goal in its last four matches. The Arrows have also been tough to beat at home, winning nine of their last 10 matches there.