BOISE - The Coeur d'Alene Sting under-18 girls soccer team is a win or a tie away from becoming the first Sting team in more than a decade to reach the quarterfinals of the US Youth Soccer Far West Regionals.

Megan Lowery scored in the 89th minute as the Sting beat the Northwest Nationals of Seattle 1-0 on Tuesday at Simplot Soccer Complex to improve to 2-0 in group play.

"With it being late in the game I was having the players pull back into a little more defensive shape," Sting coach Dan Hogan said.

After the Nationals pushed an extra player forward, the Sting passed the ball to Meaghan Bare in the midfield. Bare took a couple touches, Hogan said, and then seeing Lowery about 10 yards outside the penalty area passed her the ball.

''The pass was a little outside the reach of Lowery, but she raced after it alongside an opponent. She slid and got her foot on the ball, poking it past the Nationals keeper," Hogan said.

The Sting wrap up group play today vs. Santa Clara Sporting 96 Green at 10:30 a.m. PDT. A win or a tie by the Sting would send the Coeur d'Alene team into Friday's quarterfinals.

"The second half was very even and in the hot weather our depth played a big role in our win," Hogan said. "Kelsi Grinde, Carleen Simpson, Nora Kennedy and Magen Daniels played great off the bench, helping us keep the energy high and putting extra pressure on the Nationals."

Tiegan Horton had six saves in the shutout for the Sting, who beat the SoCal Blues 4-1 on Monday.

"The first half the Nationals had more possession, but their crosses and through balls were cleared by center backs Josee Bassett or Bekah Brendis, or handled by Horton."

First half - none. Second half - 1, Sting, Megan Lowery (Meaghan Bare), 89:00.

Shots on goal - Sting 10, Nationals 14.

Saves - Sting, Tiegan Horton 6; Nationals, 5.