Soccer State Semifinals, Day 1 Recap

After three days of challenging weather during the quarterfinals last week, the climate-controlled conditions of U.S. Bank Stadium were a welcomed change for the first of two days of the semifinals of the Minnesota State High School League’s Soccer State Tournament on Tuesday, Oct. 31.

Following the completion of six semifinal games in three enrollment classes, the pairings are set for the girls championship games. Here is a look at Tuesday’s semifinals and a peek ahead to the girls championship games on Friday.

 Class A

• No. 4 St. Paul Academy 4, No. 1 Providence Academy 3: St. Paul Academy recorded the lone upset of the day with a dramatic come-from-behind victory over top-seeded Providence Academy. Junior forward Sawyer Bollinger Danielson scored three second-half goals, including the winner with 2:02 remaining in regulation to send the Spartans into the Class A championship game for the second consecutive season. In the game’s early minutes, Providence Academy built a two-goal lead on a goal from senior forward Avery Lampe and another by junior midfielder Tatum Janezich. But St. Paul Academy replied with three unanswered goals over the course of the remaining first half and 17 minutes into the second. Providence Academy sophomore forward Maddyn Greenway forged a 3-all tie with a sharp-angled shot in the 60^th minute.  
• No. 3 St. Charles 2, No. 2 Southwest Christian 1: The magical season of the St. Charles girls soccer team continued again in dramatic fashion when the Saints earned a berth in the small-school championship game with a victory over the Stars in the final semifinal that capped nearly 13 hours of soccer. Junior Samantha Perez scored following a corner kick by senior Araceli White to give the Saints an opportunity to reverse its only loss of the season. On September 23, St. Charles was on the short end of a 1-0 result with St. Paul Academy. Since that loss, the Saints are 10-0-1.

Class AA

• No. 1 Holy Angels 4, No. 4 Totino-Grace 1: A veteran-laden Holy Angels’ squad took another step in what they hope is a successful title defense following a victory over the Eagles. The Stars snapped a 1-all deadlock with three unanswered goals. Senior forward Audrey Garton had a goal and assist to pace the Stars to their 18^th consecutive victory. Holy Angels, a private school located in Richfield, also had a Class A championship in 2003.
• No. 2 Benilde-St. Margaret’s 7, No. 3 Winona 1: Benilde-St. Margaret’s scored six goals in the second half to race past the Winhawks. Senior midfielder Brooklyn Miller and senior forward Kiya Gilliand had two goals each for the undefeated Red Knights, who are seeking their first state championship since winning the Class A crown in 2016. Benilde-St. Margaret’s is a four-time Class A champion.

Class AAA

• No. 1 Edina 3, No. 4 Andover 0: To the surprise of no one, Edina senior midfielder Izzy Engle played a role in all of the scoring with two goals and an assist to power the undefeated Hornets into the Class AAA championship game for the second consecutive season. She opened the scoring in the fifth minute with a chip shot over Andover senior goalkeeper Haley Mau. She doubled the lead late in the first half by weaving through four Andover defenders before scoring from a sharp angle. Her corner kick created Edina’s final goal.
• No. 2 Wayzata 5, Maple Grove 1: Creating goal-scoring opportunities is a strength of Wayzata’s and it was on full display in a convincing victory over the unseeded Crimson. Junior midfielder Tenley Senden led the way with two goals and an assist while senior forward Grace Estby chipped in a goal and assist. The Trojans’ victory sets up an opportunity to avenge their only loss of the season. In the regular season finale, Edina defeated Wayzata 7-2 during a Lake Conference game.

Friday’s championship schedule

Class A

• No. 3 St. Charles (18-1-2) vs. No. 4 St. Paul Academy (11-6-4), 7:15 p.m.

Class AA

• No. 1 Holy Angels (19-1-1) vs. No. 2 Benilde-St. Margaret’s (18-0-3), 2:45 p.m.

Class AAA

• No. 1 Edina (21-0-0) vs. No. 2 Wayzata (20-1-0), 10:15 a.m.