The opening presented itself and Max Sharpe, not one to question a gift, took it.

The senior forward dribbled into an unexpected opening in the defense and let loose a low, 15-yard bullet that eluded the hands of Bloomington Jefferson goalkeeper Joe Engel and nestled into the far corner of the net, giving top-seeded Minnetonka a 3-2, doubled overtime victory over the Jaguars in the Section 2, 2A championship game.

“I got the ball at about midfield and I started dribbling in slow and no one was coming towards me,” Sharpe said. “I’m not sure why. But I saw the space and I took the space. I moved one way, made a touch to the right and I shot. I saw it hit the back of the net and it was the greatest feeling.”

Sharpe’s right-footed laser rescued Minnetonka from a potentially heart-breaking loss. After an even first half that ended with the teams tied 1-1, the Skippers took a 2-1 lead in the 52nd minute on a goal by Adam Reiskytl, who was the beneficiary of a brilliant feed from teammate Suad Suljic.

That lead nearly stood up, but Minnetonka was called for a handball violation in the final minute of regulation. Jaguars midfielder Ryan Fitch, who had scored the game’s first goal, hit a perfect 20-yard free kick to tie the game, sending it to overtime.

Both teams had gasp-inducing chances in the first 10 minute overtime period, but the game continued until Sharpe’s goal in the first minute of the second overtime.

“We didn’t get down on ourselves after they tied it,” said Suljic, who scored Minnetonka’s first goal. “I knew we would get the winner. I felt like we were the better team today.”

Minnetonka (16-0-2) qualified for the Class 2A state tournament for the first time since 1999. Jefferson (12-5-1) had its seven-game winning streak snapped.

JIM PAULSEN