Minneapolis Washburn seemed to have a victory locked Thursday night against rival Minneapolis Southwest. The Millers held a one-goal lead and a one-man advantage with less than 10 minutes to play.
But Lakers senior midfielder James Gagnon knocked in a penalty kick in the 71st minute to change the outcome. The goal proved to be the final one of the game as the teams went scoreless in overtime and finished in a 3-3 tie at Southwest High School.
Gagnon’s equalizer was the result of a penalty called when Washburn player pushing a Southwest player in the penalty box during a corner kick.
Millers coach Aaron Percy said his team just rolled with the punches after the penalty.
“He saw something that, from our position, was tough to see, so you kind of got to go with what the ref calls,” Percy said.
Washburn senior attacker Mitchell Taylor said he was disappointed in the way the game turned out.
“My heart dropped when they scored the goal, I didn’t think it was the fair call,” Taylor said.
Taylor opened the scoring for the Millers with a goal in the 21st minute. A Southwest defender misplayed a clearing opportunity on a ball bouncing in the goalie box, allowing Taylor to fire a shot into the bottom left corner of the net just past the outstretched hands of Lakers senior goalie Luke Peterson. The score marked Taylor’s third of the season.
Washburn (5-2-3) added another goal when senior attacker Henry Stevens found the back of the net against the Lakers (6-2-2). Stevens connected on a penalty kick in the 63rd minute, which was the result of a hand ball in the box by a Southwest defender.
Percy said Taylor and Stevens were crucial against the Lakers.
“They both did really well tonight,” Percy said. “They’ve had stretches where they kind of get lost in the game, but tonight they definitely played big. I thought they had good games tonight. They controlled the game when they had the ball on their feet, and they created a lot of chances.”
Washburn’s roster has 10 seniors, nine who started Thursday night. When asked to describe the group, Stevens called them leaders.
“[W]e’re always telling each other what to do and where to be, so it helps a lot when you have a good group of guys that can talk to each other and lead the team,” Stevens said.
Those seniors have lost five of the eight meetings against the Lakers. The Millers’ last victory over their Minneapolis City Conference rivals was on Sept. 4 of last season.
In this season’s first matchup, Southwest squeaked out a 1-0 victory on Sept. 3.
There’s a possibility that the Millers could get a shot of redemption in the Class 2A, Section 6 tournament. Washburn jumped into the section this season after dominating in Class 1A.
Wayzata, Hopkins and fellow Minneapolis City Conference rival Minneapolis South also reside in Section 6.
Percy said playing those new teams in the postseason is going to be an enjoyable experience.
“I think it’ll be fun,” Percy said. “A number of our guys kind of made the comments like ‘Oh good we get to play with the big boys,’ so I think they’re ready for it.”
A Minneapolis Southwest player reacts to a red card called on a teammate in their match against rival Minneapolis Washburn. The match finished in a 3-3 tie. Photo by Korey McDermott
First Report
Minneapolis Southwest senior midfielder James Gagnon converted on a penalty kick in the 71st minute to even the score and force overtime, but the goal proved to by the last of the game as the Lakers and Minneapolis Washburn went scoreless in the extra stanza and finished tied 3-3 in their Minneapolis City Conference matchup Thursday night at Southwest High School.
Millers senior attacker Mitchell Taylor broke the scoring seal, netting his goal in the 21st minute. Taylor knocked in the ball after a Washburn forward headed the ball to the middle of the penalty box and a Southwest defender missed the clearing attempt.
In the 36th minute, Lakers freshman midfielder Isaiah Clausen scored the equalizer. Washburn senior goalie Max Elofson mishandled the initial shot, but Clausen knocked in the rebound. Southwest padded its lead with a goal from senior attacker Callen Knutson in the 45th minute.
Sophomore attacker Wells Cooper netted a goal in the 53rd minute and senior attacker Henry Stevens knocked in another off a penalty kick in the 63rd minute to give the Millers a 3-2 lead that held up until Gagnon’s goal eight minutes later.
Both teams are back in action on Saturday with The Lakers (6-2-2) traveling to league foe Minneapolis South while Washburn (5-2-3) hosts the Academy of Holy Angels.
