Ignacio Castillo's second-half goal sends Quincy to Sumner

Quincy coach Arturo Guerrero started seven seniors in Saturday’s 2A state soccer match with Toppenish, but it was his underclassmen that combined for the goal that propelled the Jacks into the Final Four with a 1-0 victory. Junior Kevin Rios sent a perfect ball across the goalie box to sophomore Ignacio Castillo for the tap in the 50th minute for the game’s only score. One goal and brilliant defense was enough to move on to the Final Four where the Jacks (15-4-3) will face Lindbergh (18-0) Friday, 8 p.m., at Sunset Chevrolet Stadium in Sumner.

“This team is something special. I knew we were going to win. I could feel it in the air,” Guerrero said. “They played with guts and the defense was amazing. I think we can play with anybody right now.” What made the victory even more impressive is that the Jacks were without senior striker Francisco Alejandrez, who had two goals in the first-round win in Pullman on Tuesday. Alejandrez, who has been a scoring force all season, did not play because he was suffering from irregular heartbeat issues, coupled with shortness of breath because of his asthma. Guerrero moved Rios from the midfield up top to striker. Joshua Munoz got the start at mid and AJ Gallegos to right-side defender. With all the adjustments, it took them a half to figure out the chemistry. But Rios’ cross to Castillo changed all that. “I saw the ball going out (on the sideline). I was going to shoot it to the post, but it wasn’t a good angle,” Rios explained. “I put it right out front and waited for one of my teammates to put it in. By doing that the other team can score (an own goal) or we had a chance.” Castillo might be a sophomore, but he’s been playing a long time. He crashed the goalkeeper’s box and got a foot on it to help Quincy beat Toppenish for the second time in 11 days.

“I lost sight of the ball on the outside, but he centered it and I was in the right place at the right time for a tap in,” Castillo said. “We have a lot of seniors and to be a part of this team is a special feeling. It’s an amazing feeling right now.” Not only did the Jacks shutout the high flying Wildcats (14-6-1), they completely shut down Toppenish scorers Uzziel Mendoza and Cristobal Cervantes. Quincy goalkeeper Johan Farias had just one save and the Jacks played incredible defense in front of him, holding the Wildcats to just two shots on goal. “To be able to come down here and win at Toppenish is amazing,” Farias said. “They have two great scorers, so I really focused on where Mendoza and Cervantes were at all times. Mendoza has scored both times we played them before. The defense played great and kept the pressure off.” Quincy scored once on six shots, but they opened up several opportunities as Fredy Ruiz and Rios started figuring things out in the second half. Ruiz broke free down the far side and put a rocket right-footer on a low shot from the 18-yard line that ended up going all the way across the mouth of the goal. Quincy had another great chance to make it a two-goal lead when Ruiz drove it down the near sideline inside the 18 to the keeper’s box, crossed it to Rios who went wide left on the shot. At the end of the day, one goal was all it took and now the Jacks will play in the state semifinals for a chance to play for the 2A state championship. “This feels great and I have to say I think we have a really good chance to make it to the finals,” Ruiz said. “It was too bad Francisco didn’t get a chance to play. He’s a big part of the team and a brother. Hopefully we’ll get him back next week.”