Seven Lakes has been preparing for 20 extra minutes since August.

The Spartans knew when it came down to the tiniest advantages that they had to be the fittest team on every field, that they had to work just as hard and find a way to stay ready in those moments.

That work and conditioning paid its dividends for Seven Lakes on Saturday, as the Spartans were able to outlast Jordan in the Region III-6A Final 2-1 in extra time, finding their second gear in the extra period to score the winner and advance to the state tournament. 

“We told them going into overtime that this is just about grits and guts and being able to apply everything that we’ve worked for,” said Seven Lakes head coach Kaitlyn Eidson. “We just reminded them that they can do this and they are good enough and mentally strong enough to do it. I’m just so proud of their effort.”

Jordan came out on the front foot and got an advantage in the 14th minute, when Madison Lambert fired in a shot from 39-yards out and it got past the Seven Lakes goalkeeper. Seven Lakes found its way back into the game though and found an equalizer in the 19th minute on a Wagoner Towsen free kick that hit the top bar and went in. 

Both teams battled and created chances in the second half, with Seven Lakes maintaining possession better but Jordan countered and had made offense when it could. The Spartans weren’t able to find a go ahead goal in regulation, but they kept pushing in extra time and found the game winner in the 86th minute, when Maria Lopez chased down a ball in the box by getting past a defender before slipping the ball into the net to put Seven Lakes ahead. 

“That’s pure Maria,” Eidson said. “When we ran the fitness test we actually had to stop her because she just kept making it and setting a higher school record. It’s a credit to her, she never stops going and that’s what turned out to be the difference today.”

The Spartans killed off the game the rest of the way, not allowing Jordan any chances while possessing the ball and keeping it away from the Warriors.

“We practice every week for that,” Towsen said. “It was a lot of game management, kick it to the corners, don’t make mistakes, keep them away from the ball but we know how to do that. This team has so much heart and that’s what pushed us through.”

It’s the first state tournament appearance for Seven Lakes since 2012, when the Spartans made it to the state final before losing to Plano West. This group of Spartans may not have experience in Georgetown, but they are confident and cannot wait to get there.

“I’m so psyched,” Towsen said. “This team is ready and we’re all so excited. It’s our first time at state but we are going to be ready. It means the world to all of us.”