Baylor goalkeeper Danny Van Valkinburgh should finally be able to get a good night’s sleep.

After a week of thinking about the Red Raiders’ worst loss of the season, on Saturday afternoon he and his soccer teammates got to celebrate their biggest win. With a 4-1 Division II Class AA sub-state victory over visiting Memphis University School, Baylor earned an opportunity to defend the state title it won last season.

“It feels amazing,” Van Valkinburgh said. “It’s such a relief. I’ve been worrying about it since our last game. I know I didn’t sleep well last night.”

Staff Photo by Angela Lewis -- Memphis University School’s Will Pryor heads the ball as Baylor’s Sam Williams watches in the soccer sub-state game Saturday at Baylor. The host Red Raiders won 4-1.

The Red Raiders were the No. 2 seeded team from the Mid-east after falling 3-0 to Father Ryan in last Saturday’s region final. It was only the second loss of the season for Baylor, which had entered the game having given up just two goals, but coach Jimmy Weekley said his players recovered well.

“I thought our guys did a good job refocusing for this,” Weekley said. “They knew it was an elimination game. I’m really pleased with our overall effort. They came ready to play today.”

The Red Raiders (12-2-2) started strong in the rematch of last year’s state quarterfinal, and their work paid off eight minutes in when Pim Van der Sluis scored on a ball from Andrew Roden.

“I felt like it allowed us to relax a bit,” Weekley said of the early goal. “When your first goal happens that soon, it’s always a good thing, but there was a lot of time left. I didn’t feel good until we scored the fourth one.”

Baylor added a second with 7:40 left in the first half when Kelly Smith sent in a corner, Tanner Taylor took a touch and Chris Wilson was there to finish. Wilson and the rest of the Red Raiders’ backs kept MUS in front of them for almost all of the first half, limiting the Owls to one scoring opportunity.

In the second half, Sam Williams scored for Baylor 21 minutes in, but about three minutes later, increased pressure from MUS helped a ball get by Van Valkinburgh.

“Knowing that we were up a few goals, we were probably more relaxed than we should have been,” the keeper said. “They pushed people forward, and we gave up a few restarts. We didn’t get a good clear on that one, and they took a good shot and put it in.”

With 5:42 remaining, Van Valkinburgh dove to save an Owls indirect kick, and three minutes later, Taylor added the Red Raiders’ fourth goal.

“After the third goal, I knew they would make adjustments, but I thought our guys handled it well,” Weekley said. “And Danny made a great save on that restart. Otherwise, it’s 3-2 all of a sudden, and you’re playing a very tense last five minutes.”

Instead, Baylor will play in the state final four Thursday in Murfreesboro at the Richard Siegel Soccer Complex.

“I’m proud of the guys,” Weekley said. “We’re where we want to be, and at this point anything can happen.”

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