{"id":596656,"date":"2026-04-11T08:36:32","date_gmt":"2026-04-11T08:36:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/596656\/"},"modified":"2026-04-11T08:36:32","modified_gmt":"2026-04-11T08:36:32","slug":"top-ranked-murray-feeling-good-about-possible-region-title-after-win-over-east-deseret-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/596656\/","title":{"rendered":"Top-ranked Murray feeling good about possible region title after win over East \u2013 Deseret News"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Murray boys soccer team has been on the road to a state championship before.<\/p>\n

For the last 20 years under coach Bryan DeMann, the Spartans have had many talented teams. However, they\u2019ve never returned home without that coveted trophy.<\/p>\n

The top-ranked Spartans\u00a0\u00a0have that feeling again \u2014 or perhaps DeMann does \u2014\u00a0\u00a0and they took another step forward Friday afternoon as Colton DeMann and Carlos Nieto-Rosales scored second-half goals in a 2-1 comeback victory over East.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0two sides played evenly to a 0-0 draw for 40 minutes, and then the Leopards took the lead less than a minute into the second half.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll the players are familiar with each other. They have played together and against each other in club ball for a long time, and they know how important the (high school) games are here. We were just looking for that one rare shot that could get us going, and they weren\u2019t going to let us do it easily,\u201d coach DeMann said.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 1 of 39<\/p>\n

East plays Murray in a 4A region 10 boys soccer game at East High School in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 10, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 2 of 39<\/p>\n

East plays Murray in a 4A region 10 boys soccer game at East High School in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 10, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 3 of 39<\/p>\n

East plays Murray in a 4A region 10 boys soccer game at East High School in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 10, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 4 of 39<\/p>\n

East plays Murray in a 4A region 10 boys soccer game at East High School in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 10, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 5 of 39<\/p>\n

East\u2019s Angel Mendoza (10) dribbles against Murray’s Ian Goodloe (15) during the first half of a 4A region 10 boys soccer game at East High School in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 10, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 6 of 39<\/p>\n

East plays Murray in a 4A region 10 boys soccer game at East High School in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 10, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 7 of 39<\/p>\n

East plays Murray in a 4A region 10 boys soccer game at East High School in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 10, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 8 of 39<\/p>\n

East plays Murray in a 4A region 10 boys soccer game at East High School in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 10, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 9 of 39<\/p>\n

East plays Murray in a 4A region 10 boys soccer game at East High School in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 10, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 10 of 39<\/p>\n

East plays Murray in a 4A region 10 boys soccer game at East High School in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 10, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 11 of 39<\/p>\n

East plays Murray in a 4A region 10 boys soccer game at East High School in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 10, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 12 of 39<\/p>\n

East plays Murray in a 4A region 10 boys soccer game at East High School in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 10, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 13 of 39<\/p>\n

East plays Murray in a 4A region 10 boys soccer game at East High School in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 10, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 14 of 39<\/p>\n

East plays Murray in a 4A region 10 boys soccer game at East High School in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 10, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 15 of 39<\/p>\n

East plays Murray in a 4A region 10 boys soccer game at East High School in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 10, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 16 of 39<\/p>\n

East plays Murray in a 4A region 10 boys soccer game at East High School in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 10, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 17 of 39<\/p>\n

East plays Murray in a 4A region 10 boys soccer game at East High School in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 10, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 18 of 39<\/p>\n

East plays Murray in a 4A region 10 boys soccer game at East High School in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 10, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 19 of 39<\/p>\n

East plays Murray in a 4A region 10 boys soccer game at East High School in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 10, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 20 of 39<\/p>\n

East plays Murray in a 4A region 10 boys soccer game at East High School in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 10, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 21 of 39<\/p>\n

East plays Murray in a 4A region 10 boys soccer game at East High School in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 10, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 22 of 39<\/p>\n

Murray’s Colton DeMann (9) scores against East\u2019s Adi Helac (1) to tie the game during the second half of a 4A region 10 boys soccer game at East High School in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 10, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 23 of 39<\/p>\n

East plays Murray in a 4A region 10 boys soccer game at East High School in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 10, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 24 of 39<\/p>\n

East plays Murray in a 4A region 10 boys soccer game at East High School in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 10, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 25 of 39<\/p>\n

East\u2019s Leo Unkefer (8) retrieves the ball from the goal after Murray’s Colton DeMann (9) scored to tie the game 1-1 during the second half of a 4A region 10 boys soccer game at East High School in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 10, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 26 of 39<\/p>\n

East plays Murray in a 4A region 10 boys soccer game at East High School in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 10, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 27 of 39<\/p>\n

East plays Murray in a 4A region 10 boys soccer game at East High School in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 10, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 28 of 39<\/p>\n

East plays Murray in a 4A region 10 boys soccer game at East High School in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 10, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 29 of 39<\/p>\n

East plays Murray in a 4A region 10 boys soccer game at East High School in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 10, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 30 of 39<\/p>\n

East plays Murray in a 4A region 10 boys soccer game at East High School in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 10, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 31 of 39<\/p>\n

East plays Murray in a 4A region 10 boys soccer game at East High School in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 10, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 32 of 39<\/p>\n

Murray’s Carlos Nieto-Rosales (10) celebrates after converting a penalty kick to take a 2-1 lead over East during the second half of a 4A region 10 boys soccer game at East High School in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 10, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 33 of 39<\/p>\n

East plays Murray in a 4A region 10 boys soccer game at East High School in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 10, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 34 of 39<\/p>\n

East celebrates after scoring during the second half against Murray in a 4A region 10 boys soccer game at East High School in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 10, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 35 of 39<\/p>\n

East plays Murray in a 4A region 10 boys soccer game at East High School in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 10, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 36 of 39<\/p>\n

East plays Murray in a 4A region 10 boys soccer game at East High School in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 10, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 37 of 39<\/p>\n

East plays Murray in a 4A region 10 boys soccer game at East High School in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 10, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 38 of 39<\/p>\n

East plays Murray in a 4A region 10 boys soccer game at East High School in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 10, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 39 of 39<\/p>\n

East plays Murray in a 4A region 10 boys soccer game at East High School in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 10, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News <\/p>\n

Finally, with just over 21 minutes left in the game, Colton DeMann, the coach\u2019s grandson, got the ball alone only a few feet from the goal, and ended Murray\u2019s drought. <\/p>\n

The Spartans took advantage of that momentum change to apply pressure on East\u2019s defense, and then with 12 minutes remaining, a Spartans\u2019 player was fouled near the goal and Nieto-Rosales sent the penalty kick past the East goalkeeper for his 13th\u00a0goal this season and improved Murray\u2019s record to 11-0 overall and 8-0 in region.<\/p>\n

With the regular season more than halfway finished, Murray has scored 46 goals and only allowed five. No opponent has scored more than one goal against the Spartans in any game, and Murray goalkeepers Daniel Manila and Grayson Medell have combined to hold six teams scoreless.<\/p>\n

The Spartans\u2019 prowess reminds coach DeMann of all the other times Murray has had its sights set on winning state. The most recent trip was two years ago when the Spartans fell to Ridgeline 4-3 in the title contest. Last year, after a 9-0 start, they entered state as the No. 1 and made it to the quarterfinals before being beaten by Mountain View in a shootout.<\/p>\n

Friday\u2019s win was Murray\u2019s second of the season over East, which is currently sitting in second place at 8-3 overall and 5-3 in region.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis game was a lot like those other ones (at state),\u201d coach DeMann said. \u201cA (different) bounce here, a bounce there, and this game could have ended differently. The teams are all so close.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Spartans filled their nonregion schedule with 5A and 6A schools nearby, so they aren\u2019t sure how they compare to the other 4A schools when the state tournament starts on May 8. The championship game is scheduled for May 22 at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Murray boys soccer team has been on the road to a state championship before. For the last…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":596657,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[440],"tags":[213420,49,48,226331,226332,3166,561,82],"class_list":{"0":"post-596656","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-soccer","8":"tag-boys-soccer-high-school","9":"tag-ca","10":"tag-canada","11":"tag-east-utah-high-school-sports","12":"tag-murray-utah-high-school-sports","13":"tag-news-feed-local","14":"tag-soccer","15":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/596656","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=596656"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/596656\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/596657"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=596656"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=596656"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=596656"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}