Soccer State Tournament, 2022: Day 3 Recap: Quarterfinals

Unseeded Maranatha Christian Academy recorded the biggest upset in the final day of quarterfinals during the Minnesota State High School League’s Soccer State Tournaments on Thursday, Oct. 27.

The Mustangs (9-10-1), making their first appearance in the Boys Soccer State Tournament, ensured there would be a new champion in the Class A field following a stunning 3-2 victory over defending small-school champion Southwest Christian in the quarterfinals at Monticello High School. Sophomore forward Jaydon Dimitrov converted on a penalty kick opportunity with 55 seconds remaining in regulation to clinch the victory and earn a berth in the Class A semifinals on Tuesday, Nov. 1 against No. 4 St. Paul Academy.

Southwest Christian (15-5-0) built a 2-1 lead in the second half behind a goal from junior forward Jake Bettin. But Maranatha Christian Academy answered later on the equalizer from freshman midfielder Tevin Asiago.

Senior midfielder Sam Widdifield had a goal and an assist for the Stars.

At Eden Prairie High School, sophomore midfielder Ezra Straub scored two of this three goals in a four-goal first half to power No. 4 St. Paul Academy to a 6-0 victory over No. 5 St. Cloud Cathedral in the Class A quarterfinals. Senior Cooper Bollinger-Danielson added a goal and an assist to send the Spartans (12-3-3) into the semifinals on Tuesday, Nov. 1 at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Unseeded St. Anthony Village (11-6-2) completed the semifinal pairings in Class A following a dramatic 2-1 victory over No. 2 Pine Island/Zumbrota-Mazeppa (16-3-0) at Kuhlman Field in Edina. Junior forward Alan Molina scored with four minutes remaining in the second overtime session to send the Huskies into the semifinals against Legacy Christian, another unseeded entrant, on Tuesday, Nov. 1.

Class AA

Two header goals in the final eight minutes paved the way for No. 3 Cloquet-Esko-Carlton to record a 3-1 victory over St. Cloud Tech in the quarterfinals at Irondale High School in New Brighton. Sophomore midfielder Collin Young headed in a corner kick to snap a 1-all deadlock and senior forward Jordan Aultman added another header goal with two minutes remaining. The Lumberjacks (18-2-0) advance to face No. 2 DeLaSalle on Tuesday, Nov. 1.

Girls

Class AA

Junior defender Sienna Carver scored a goal in each half to pace No. 4 Benilde-St. Margaret’s to a 5-1 victory over No. 5 Alexandria in the Class AA quarterfinals at Monticello High School. Alexandria (16-3-0) pulled to within 2-1 on a goal from junior Sophia Korynta, but the Red Knights (14-4-2) promptly responded with three unanswered goals. Benilde-St. Margaret’s has won 11 of its past 12 games.

Mankato East, the No. 3 seed kept its unblemished record intact following a 1-0 victory over Cloquet-Carlton in another quarterfinal game at Irondale High School in New Brighton. Senior forward Ella Huettl scored the game’s only goal with just less than 10 minutes remaining in the first half. She gave the Cougars (20-0-0) the advantage they needed when she dribbled deep into the penalty area before directing a shot into the goal. Mankato East advances to play No. 2 Holy Angels (18-2-0) on Wednesday at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Class A

Fourth-seeded St. Anthony erupted for four goals in the first half to race to a 4-2 victory over No. 5 Esko at Kuhlman Stadium in Edina. Senior forward Anna Isaacson and senior midfielder Eileen Cardona had two goals each in the first half when the Huskies (12-3-1) built a 4-1 advantage. St. Anthony advances to the semifinals on Wednesday, Nov. 2 where it will face top-seeded Providence Academy.