Never too early for Summer: Skyridge scores a thrilling overtime win over Lone Peak
According to the calendar, it’s still spring. But for the Skyridge Girls Lacrosse team, it’s definitely Summer time.
Just a freshman, Summer Buechner led the way in the Falcon’s thrilling 13-12 overtime win over Lone Peak on Saturday in highly dramatic fashion. Orchestrating Skyridge’s final goal in regulation, and then the game-winner in sudden-death overtime, Buechner did a bit of everything, leaving her and her teammates ecstatic and exhausted after the game.
“This means so much because we’ve worked so hard all year to get here,” Buechner said. “It was really crazy out there today, but it was so fun.”
Crazy indeed.
With time winding down in regulation, and the game knotted at 11-11, Buechner weaved in and out of the Knight’s defense before finding fellow freshman Ellie Palmer right in front of the goal. Palmer skillfully found the back of the net with just 12.9 seconds remaining to give the Falcons a 12-11 lead with just about everyone believing that score would stand as the final.
But not so fast.
Lone Peak gained possession on the ensuing faceoff with Norah Lisonbee darting through the Skyridge defense to score an improbable goal with just 0.8 seconds left on the clock. With many in attendance not the least bit stunned, the match proceeded to an overtime period that the Falcons proved ready for despite having victory snatched away in the final second.
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- Summer Buechner of Skyridge (12) handles the ball while being chased by Lone Peak defenders in a 6A girls lacrosse quarterfinals in Lehi on Saturday, May 17, 2025.
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- Lone Peak and Skyridge players compete for the ball in a 6A girls lacrosse quarterfinal match in Lehi on Saturday, May 17, 2025.
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- Geneva Barfuss of Skyridge (in white) tries to avoid a pair of Lone Peak defenders in a 6A girls lacrosse quarterfinal match in Lehi on Saturday, May 17, 2025.
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- Lone Peak’s Norah Lisonbee (11) competes for the ball with Summer Buechner (12) and Siena Heilner (6) of Skyridge in a 6A girls lacrosse quarterfinal match in Lehi on Saturday, May 17, 2025.
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- Madelyn Coton of Skyridge looks to pass the ball against Lone Peak in a 6A girls lacrosse quarterfinal match in Lehi on Saturday, May 17, 2025.
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- Siena Heilner of Skyridge (in white) runs away from a Lone Peak defender in a 6A girls lacrosse quarterfinal match in Lehi on Saturday, May 17, 2025.
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- Summer Buechner of Skyridge attacks the goal against Lone Peak in a 6A girls lacrosse quarterfinal match in Lehi on Saturday, May 17, 2025.
“We have a team full of freshmen that honestly don’t know any better,” said Skyridge Coach Michelle Buechner, Summer’s mother. “They just have this hope and this optimism and they’re incredible. I know they’re young, but they lead our team with their strength and optimism.”
The Falcons needed all of that optimism to survive the first two minutes of the overtime period.
The Knights gained first possession and maintained constant pressure on Skyridge’s defense, attempting several shots that just missed, were blocked or saved by goalie Taylor Brems.
“Our defense has played unbelievably well all week and they’ve never let up on their intensity,” Michelle Buechner said. “That level of practice leads to this kind of game. They were prepared and they were amazing. I can’t say enough about what they did out there today. They won this game for us.”
Upon gaining its first possession of the overtime period, Skyridge immediately called timeout. Michelle Buechner’s instruction during the timeout was relatively simple; get the ball to Summer and let her work her magic.
Summer Buechner obliged, as she so often has all year. She managed to penetrate the Knight’s defense effectively, passed the ball to Palmer, which was subsequently put through in almost the identical manner as her final score in regulation.
“Those two just share a brain. They really do,” said Michelle Buechner. “They can read each other really well and they know how to be patient. It’s not easy to be patient in those situations, so I’m really proud of them for that.”
“I trust Ellie so much and I knew she had it,” Summer Buechner added. “I trust all of my teammates. We all played so hard for one another out there today and for the whole season.”
And all of her teammates stepped up throughout, providing effective defensive play and issuing timely scoring on the offensive end. Palmer led that scoring with six goals on the afternoon, which included the final four scored for Skyridge. Fellow freshmen Sofia Fife and Geneva Barfuss each added two goals a piece with Summer Buechner adding another two.
“This was a team effort,” Michelle Buechner said. “Every player out there left their heart and soul on the field and the ones on the sideline made sure they were the best sideline they could be. I appreciated every single one of them for the contribution they made today.”
With so many freshmen leading Skyridge, the future looks very bright for the program, although the focus is entirely on the here and now.
“It’s great to now have the confidence that we can win in big games,” Michelle Buechner said. “Having that win today, where we had to lay it all out and leave nothing behind, it’s a great thing to have. They’re going to all crawl home tonight because they left all their heart and energy on the field, and again, it’s a great thing to go through and then come out on top. I couldn’t be more proud of all of them.”
With the win Skyridge advances to the semifinal round where it will take on No. 1 seed Mountain Ridge this coming Tuesday.
5A Girls Lacrosse
Cedar Valley advanced to the state semifinal round with a tight 16-14 win over Box Elder. The No. 12-seeded Aviators will now look to pull a major upset, taking on No. 1 seed Park City this coming Tuesday.
No. 2 seed Salem Hills took care of business in the quarterfinals, defeating No. 7 seed Highland 14-6. The Skyhawks will square off against No. 3 seed Olympus in the semifinal round.
4A Girls Lacrosse
No. 5-seeded Provo earned itself a spot in the state semifinal with a 16-9 win over No. 4 seed Canyon View. The Bulldogs will play No. 1 seed Bear River this coming Tuesday.
No. 6-seeded Payson scored an impressive 14-6 over No. 14 Hillcrest and will take on No. 2-seeded Waterford in the semifinals.
Boys Lacrosse
No. 3-seeded Skyridge took an impressive 12-6 win over No. 6 Mountain Ridge to advance to the semifinal round of the 6A playoffs. The Falcons will play that semifinal match versus No. 2 Davis.
Lone Peak, the No. 5 seed in the 6A competition, won a tight 10-9 contest over No. 4 Farmington and advanced to take on No. 1 Corner Canyon in the semifinals.
Maple Mountain (No. 7 seed) saw its season end with a tough 13-7 loss to No. 2-seeded Olympus in the 5A championships while No. 7-seeded Payson lost 19-7 to No. 2 seed Judge Memorial in the 4A.
