Arts & Sciences’ Duncan Keegan didn’t have time to think about what he could’ve done differently when his free kick hit the wall of Chattanooga Christian players in front of him.

Seconds afterward, the ball ricocheted back to Keegan off one of his teammates, and he just as quickly set his sights on the goal. Keegan maneuvered through the Chargers’ defense for what proved to be the winning goal in the 88th minute in a 2-1 overtime victory in a Region 3-A/AA high school soccer semifinal Tuesday at CCS.

The Patriots (12-7) advance to Thursday’s region final, where they will play Boyd-Buchanan in a rematch of the District 5 final that the Buccaneers won in sudden-death overtime.

Keegan also had CSAS’s first goal after weaving through about five defenders from midfield on. Patriots coach Ron Nance said Keegan has driven the length of the field for goals before, something he doesn’t normally permit to be attempted.

“I give Duncan the green light when he thinks he sees the opportunity,” Nance said. “He’s told me before that he gets tense out there sometimes, but he plays with such a calm when the ball’s at his feet. He’s been a real pleasure to coach.”

Nance said he was thankful for the opportunity to talk with his players at the end of regulation because his team was in need of an adjustment. He said Chattanooga Christian coach Shawn Brower had directed a shift to overload the left side and Nance had to counter that strategy.

Perhaps the biggest adjustment of the match was made Monday in practice. Forward Steve Harris had played some at stopper on his select team and was given that role for this match. The idea was to concentrate on defending CCS forward Rocklin Shumaker, who was held out of the scoring column.

Hudson Smith scored the Chargers’ goal off an assist from the left wing by Mitchell Broadrick.

“We had our opportunities,” Brower said. “We rise and fall as a team. We don’t put everything on any one individual play.

“These guys had a great season. They showed a lot of heart and character. There are lessons to be learned in victory and defeat. We believe everything happens for a purpose.”