Callen Knutson scored two goals to help top-ranked Minneapolis Southwest defeat fifth-ranked North St Paul 3-2 Tuesday in a matchup of teams hungry for a victory.

Both Kueth also scored for the Lakers while Brian Solis and Nick Gilbert each scored for the Polars.

Minneapolis Southwest and North St. Paul entered the game looking for their first victory of the season. The slow starts resulted in a sense of urgency for two programs receiving top-five rankings in the Minnesota State High School Soccer Coaches Association's Class 2A preseason poll.

"We needed this one," Knutson said. "We had a couple rough ones last week, so we had to get this one to show that we still belong."

The Lakers (1-1-1) may have had their doubts early in the game but gained confidence as they rallied to win despite some uneven play.

North St. Paul (0-2-0) took a 1-0 lead seven minutes into the first half when Solis, a junior forward, chipped a shot over Minneapolis Southwest goalkeeper Kassra Taghizadeh.

Knutson tied the score in the 23rd minute with a goal similar to Solis' and the Lakers’ junior forward gave Minneapolis Southwest a 2-1 lead in the second half when he blasted a shot into the upper left corner.

"I saw the keeper leaning to the right a bit, so I toe-poked it and drew it to the left," he said. "I just decided to go with the quick shot instead of trying to get too creative."

The Lakers increased their lead to 3-1 8 minutes later on Kueth’s score. The senior forward buried a shot into the lower left corner.

Gilbert, a senior defenseman, scored in the 111th minute, cutting the Polars’ deficit to 3-2. However, North St. Paul was unable to convert on its scoring chances -- including two corner kicks --  in the closing minutes to tie the game.

"It was hard soccer," senior defenseman Jimmy Dalton said. "Not the best soccer, but we played hard for two halves, which we have yet to do."

Lakers' coach Jamie Plaisance highlighted his players’ effort in his postgame speech.

"We got better as the game went on and the start to the second half ultimately was the difference," Plaisance said. "Again, I think we have talented players that can score some nice goals, but you have to have the effort, especially now, to pull these wins out."

Minneapolis Southwest travels to No. 4 Eastview while North St. Paul heads to Heritage Middle School in West St. Paul to face Henry Sibley on Thursday.

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