Skyline had victory in its grasp Saturday afternoon, but two late Lake Stevens’ goals resulted in a 2-1 quarterfinal loss at Snohomish High School.

Skyline took a 1-0 lead in the 37th minute when freshman James Molyneux-Elliot headed a ball into the left upper corner for a goal — just his second score of the season.

“It was a ball we worked up the field … we just got a great opportunity,” Spartan head coach Don Braman said.

Lake Stevens, which was held without a shot on goal in the first half, countered in the 65th minute when Nick Bylin scored off an assist from Tanner Sellars. Just over 5 minutes later, Skyline was called for a penalty on the edge of the box.

Vasily Bogdanoff converted the kick in the 70th minute for a 2-1 lead.

There was question as to whether the takedown occurred inside or outside the penalty area. Ironically, there was a similar play earlier in the game where Skyline’s Braxton Griffin was taken down, but it was ruled outside the box.

Skyline had a potential game-tying shot just miss in the 78th minute when Pedro Miola’s blast went off the crossbar.

“Our season ended up being decided by a matter of inches,” Braman said, noting he was on the far end of the field and wasn’t certain where the penalty took place.

Lake Stevens advanced to the 4A state semifinals with the win where they will face Federal Way later this week.

Skyline ended its season with a 12-6-2 record, bouncing back from a four-win season the year before.

“For the guys to come back from a four-win season … that’s a great testament to the amount of work they put in,” Braman said.

The Spartans also earned the program’s 100th overall victory this season in a 2-1 victory over Issaquah on March 30. They now have 106 total victories.

This was the third time in school history the Skyline boys soccer team has made the state quarterfinals.