The Spartans’s path to a region championship was clear, win out and collect the crown. On Friday was their first challenge, a home meeting under the lights for Senior Night against Richfield. Emery would fall 1-0 in a tightly contested match that ended in overtime.

Most soccer contests happen in the afternoon, but for Senior Night, the Spartans and the Wildcats would meet under the lights in Castle Dale.

Both teams had a hard time finding any offense, going into the locker room at halftime tied at 0-0. The second half was truly more of the same as the pair went into the overtime period with the Wildcats finding the back of the net taking the 1-0 win.

Emery now holds an overall mark of 6-5 with a region mark of 5-2. A win in their final contest with Canyon View would give them a share of the league title with the Carbon Dinos, a loss and the Dinos will own it outright.

Emery will face the Canyon View Falcons on Tuesday in Cedar City. The last time the pair met up Emery took a 2-1 in Castle Dale on March 30.

After the game, on Wednesday the 26th, the final RPI and bracket will be revealed for the 3A State Championships, which will begin Friday the 28th at home sites. The plahyoffs will continue until the new 3A Champion is crowned on May 12th at America First Field.