Unlike Thursday’s match with Cody, the scoring started early in Star Valley’s Friday morning match with the Lander Tigers.

Facing off against the Fremont foe for the third time this season, the winner would earn a trip to the 3A state title match and claim the rubber match.

Much like the contest in Afton, the Braves controlled most of the action, which was rewarded with an early goal in the 8th minute as Jantzen Isaacson crossed the ball and it was headed into the net by Noah Hutchinson for his 22nd goal of the season.

Several other shots caromed off the frame including one bullet from Hutchinson which rung the bell of the goal by hitting the connection between the cross bar and the right upright.

The Braves hung on late as the Tigers collected four of their six shots on goal in the final 15 minutes of the match but they could not find the range.

Meanwhile Star Valley compiled 12 shots on goal and for the second straight match, and was shown two late yellow cards.

The win sends the program back to the 3A title match for the second time ever as the team will try and complete the storybook season. Star Valley finished as the State Runner-up in 2013. It is the program’s best post-season finish to date.

In their way will be the Worland Warriors who defeated Rawlins by a similar 1-0 score in the semifinals. Star Valley and Worland met in Afton on the last weekend in April which finished in a 1-0 Warriors victory.

The match will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday morning at the main stadium in Jackson, designated Field #4 during the Wyoming Soccer Championships.

Lady Braves score late, win in overtime
After a disappointing 2-0 loss to Worland on Thursday, the Lady Braves were less than ten minutes from elimination on Friday morning as they battled the Douglas Bearcats. Trailing 1-0 to DHS late, Star Valley got a crucial equalizer from Liz Smith to force overtime.

In the second overtime period, Rylie Wood bounced a shot up and over the Bearcat keep for a 2-1 lead as the Lady Braves held on to win. They now face the Buffalo Bison at 9 a.m. on Field #1 near Jackson Hole High School on Saturday morning for the consolation bracket trophy.