Soccer ball

Jonathan Martinez scored on a free kick from about 25 yards in the second overtime to lift Frisco Panther Creek to a 2-1 victory over perennial contender Palestine on a sunswept Friday in a Class 4A Region II soccer semifinal at Christus Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium.

Panther Creek (18-5-3) advances to meet Kilgore (24-2-2) in the regional final, which is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday. The winner advances to the Class 4A state tournament next week in Georgetown.

Kilgore defeated Wilmer-Hutchins, 2-0, in the first semifinal.

“Really great win for our team just because we are a second-year program and Palestine is a great program that has been here many, many years,” Panther Creek Coach Nathan McBride said. “So just being able to compete with them, let alone beat them is a huge accomplishment.”

Palestine was seeking their sixth state tournament appearance. The Wildcats were the defending regional champions.

This was the eighth appearance for Palestine in the regional tournament.

Palestine took a 1-0 lead as Tony Sachez scored with a solid kick to the left side of the net at 30:39 of the first half.

Panther Creek tied things up on their second shot at the goal as Griffin Shelley headed in a ball off the corner kick from Ryder Astorga at 7:49 of the first half.

Both goalkeepers, Panther Creek’s Mason Szymanski and Palestine’s Chris Vigil, both made tough stops against the attacks as the teams went to overtime tied 1-1.

After the first 10-minute OT, Panther Creek broke the tie as Martinez rocketed a ball into the net for the lead with 4:07 showing.

Then it was up to the defense. Palestine put on the pressure and Szymanski made one final stop on a tough kick from Sanchez.

Palestine ends its season at 25-5.