A suffering a last-second loss to Anoka in last year’s Class 2A state quarterfinals, Minnetonka has been persistent with its competition this year, not leaving any wiggle room for an upset.
“(A state championship) means the world to us,” Skippers senior Suad Suljic said. “We lost it last year, which was unfortunate. But we’re seeking revenge going into every game, knowing we can’t take them lightly.”
Bloomington Jefferson’s seeding might not have been representative of the Jaguars (6-9-4), who hadn’t allowed more than two goals in a single game this season. Having defeated Jefferson in double overtime in last year’s section final, the Skippers knew the No. 6-seeded Jaguars were no pushover.
“To take out Chaska and Edina consecutively in the section tournament, we knew we were in for a battle,” Minnetonka coach Mike Rogers said.
After seeing their lead diminished to a single goal just nine minutes into the second half, the top-seeded Skippers denied any chances of a comeback by scoring three straight goals to notch a 5-1 victory over Bloomington Jefferson in the Class 2A, Section 2 finals Thursday night at Prior Lake High School.
“We knew we had to score more than two goals to win the game and we put it together,” said Suljic, who scored twice and had an assist in the win.
Winning the Star Tribune’s Metro Player of the Year last season, Suljic had the option to play club soccer his senior year but returned to the Skippers (16-3) for a final shot at a state championship.
“This is the reason why he came back,” Rogers said. “He would trade any award he’s gotten in high school for a state championship for his team and his friends.”
With many personal accolades behind him, Suljic has yet to decide if he’ll accept one of the several college offers he’s received or play abroad. His entire focus is firmly set on winning Minnetonka its first state title.
“We’re taking it one game at a time, playing with a lot of heart every minute of every game because it can change in one second,” he said.
