Holy Angels played the role of favorite to a tee during the Minnesota State High School League’s Class AA Boys Soccer State Tournament. A three-game run of power, precision and balance culminated in convincing fashion with a 3-1 victory over No. 2 Totino-Grace on Friday, Nov. 1 at U.S. Bank Stadium in downtown Minneapolis.
Senior defender Jackson Hegwood had a goal and an assist in the first half to propel the Stars (20-1-0) to their second state championship and first since 2019. On three other occasions, the Richfield-based private school was a runner-up. The latest title completed a state tournament run when Holy Angels outscored its three opponents by a combined 12-2.
The championship victory was a microcosm of its entire season when Holy Angels took control early and maintained that edge to the end.
Hegwood opened the scoring in the fourth minute and had a header bounce of the goalpost. But he was reactive enough to knock in his own rebound. About 18 minutes later, senior midfielder Collin Pannhoff doubled the lead with a low shot.
Junior forward James Parish pushed the lead to 3-0 in the 43rd minute on a header from a throw-in.
Totino-Grace (14-4-3) avoided a shutout on a goal from junior midfielder Jabari Kibisu in the 76th minute. The Eagles were seeking their first state championship since 2017.
