Broomfield It's pretty hard for a soccer team from Broomfield High School to exceed expectations.

After all, the Eagles have one of the premier programs in the state and perennially are one of the favorites to walk away with the championship trophy.

But, by virtue of its 1-0 victory against visiting Fossil Ridge in the Class 4A quarterfinals Wednesday night, fourth-seeded Broomfield might have done just that this season.

With a new coach and a roster that has only two seniors, this was supposed to be a down year for the Eagles. Instead, they are back in the final four and will face No. 1 seed Silver Creek on Saturday.

"You can't blame anyone for thinking (we'd be down this year)," first-year coach Eryn Gallagher said. "A lot of people expected us to struggle, especially with the group we graduated. We graduated a lot of big names, but these girls worked really hard and have done a great job with the transition."

Broomfield (13-2-3) scored on its only shot of the second half. Sydney Kern sent a cross from the left side of the pitch to Natalie Foulk near the top-right corner of the SaberCats' goal box. Foulk chested the ball down to her feet, then volleyed a shot into the back of the net in the 47th minute.

"Sydney Kern just played me an awesome ball; I came in unmarked and put it in," Foulk said.

After that, the Eagles had to survive a very physical remainder of the game and a couple of good scoring opportunities by Fossil Ridge (12-3-2). The officials allowed several violent collisions between charging players and goalies, and the rough play quickly filtered its way back to the remainder of the field.

The SaberCats' best opportunity came early in the second half when Alli Morgan-Mauro broke free. She fired a shot that Broomfield keeper Caitlin Updyke blocked with her body.

The ball bounced past Updyke and toward the end line, and Morgan-Mauro got to it to send a cross to a streaking Brooke John- son in the middle of the box. Johnson shot, but Eagles defender Maddie Reeves was able to track the ball down and kick it clear.

"This really hurts," Johnson said. "I'm just really sad it's our last game and we won't get a chance to play them again."

Fossil Ridge0 0 - 0

Broomfield0 1 - 1

Goals - B, Natalie Foulk (Sydney Kern assist), 47th minute.

Shots on goal - FR, 2-3 5; B, 2-1 3. Saves - FR (Emily Michna) 2-0 2; B (Caitlin Updyke) 2-3 5. Corner kicks - FR, 0-0 0; B, 1-0 1. Cards - FR, Alli Morgan-Mauro (yellow), 68th minute.