As the minutes trickled down on Monday and Seven Lakes got closer and closer to a penalty shootout, there was no panic.

The Spartans had been here before and were ready for the situation, and they knew that they had someone they could count on to win the game.

What gave them such confidence was the fact that they had Ben Aviles Vera at keeper.  A state champion, all-state, all-american recipient who had stepped up in big moments before.

Aviles Vera was the hero of the match and stepped up when Seven Lakes needed it most, making two saves and scoring the game winning penalty in a penalty shootout as the Spartans overcame an upset bid from Jordan in the regional quarterfinals, winning 4-2 on penalties after it was tied 1-1 at full time.

“I told the guys before they stepped out for penalties, ‘we have an All-American goalkeeper that is about to win this game for us,’ and I wholeheartedly believed that.” Said Seven Lakes head coach Jimmy Krueger. “He’s been clutch as can be. It’s amazing when you have so many talented field players but then someone who’s just as clutch behind them. It gives you layers and I’m so proud of Ben and all of the guys out there.”

It was a hard fought game where both teams took it to each other and had chances to win. Seven Lakes had to overcome an early goal and through regular and extra time both teams continued to create chances and tried to find a winner, with it having to be decided in penalties.

“These guys played for one another and put together such a good performance against a great team,” said Jordan head coach Jason Meekins. Both teams had every chance to win the game and I’m just so proud of this group. I love these guys and I appreciate everything they gave. They battled with everything they had tonight.”

Jordan jumped on an early chance and took the lead just four minutes into the game when a ball came loose on the right side of Seven Lakes 18-yard box and it fell to Marcelo Ojeda, who made no mistakes and put it in the back of the net.

The early goal allowed Jordan to play deeper and let Seven Lakes bring the game to them. The Warriors played on the counter attack and it worked well as they continued to create chances. Seven Lakes dominated possession in the first half but struggled to create chances.

Things shifted as soon as the teams came out for the second half. Seven Lakes created chances left and right to start the half and it paid off in the 54^th minute, when the Spartans earned a free kick from 32-yards out. Aiden Morrison stepped up and lifted a dangerous ball into the area that went over the keepers head and into the back of the net to tie things.

“It was hard because we felt like we were dominating the whole game, but that’s soccer sometimes, they got one shot and made a goal out of it,” Morrison said. “I was just glad we kept our composure and we trusted ourselves because we knew we would find a way to tie it up eventually.”

Seven Lakes kept pouring the pressure on but Jordan answered back with counters. Neither could get a ball in the back of the net for the rest of regulation or in extra time despite the chances and it set up the penalty shootout.

Morrison got Katy off on the right foot, converting his penalty, and Aviles Vera gave the Spartans an early advantage, saving Jordan’s first attempt. Both teams had their second attempts saved and both converted on both their third and fourth attempts.  Aviles Vera then came up as the fifth penalty taker and sealed the win putting it past the keeper to win it.

“I’ve always wanted to take a penalty,” Aviles Vera said. “I’ve always asked the coaches if I could take one and tried to show them that I could. They trusted me and I’m just so glad that I scored and was able to celebrate.”

With the win, the Spartans advance to the Region III-6A Tournament for the third straight year, as they try to get back to the state tournament.

“The goal all year has been to get back to state and win it,” Aviles Vera said. “This is the next step towards that. We just have to rest, prepare ourselves and be ready for everything this weekend.”