Washington boys soccer completed a thrilling second half comeback on Monday, advancing in the Class 2A Substate 4 playoffs after a 2-1 win over Central DeWitt.

The Demons and Sabers were evenly matched through the first 20 minutes of the contest, with both sides getting fantastic chances to break the scoreless tie. However, it would be the Sabers who struck first, getting a run through and lobbing it over Washington goalkeeper Braedon Tappan to take a 1-0 lead. Washington came close to equalizing before the break, putting a couple shots off the cross bar, but the score remained 1-0 at the half.

Any notion that the Demons would roll over in defeat was swiftly disproven, as Santiago Ramirez dribbled past the Saber defense to score just 18 seconds into the second half. Central DeWitt believed themselves to have taken the lead once more after a rebounded free kick, but the scoring Saber was ruled to have been offsides, putting the score back to 1-1.

With seven minutes to play, Washington finally got their chance, with a Central DeWitt foul allowing the Demons to line up for a free kick from roughly 30 yards out. Ben Kronlage caught the ball cleanly, sending it sailing not only past the Central DeWitt defense, but the goal keeper as well, giving the Demons its first lead at 2-1. Despite the Sabers picking up the pace in desperation, the Demon defense held strong, clearing away Central Dewitt’s last few attacks to hold onto the win.

Washington moves onto the next round, where the Demons will face Mount Vernon.