East Ridge goalkeeper Sam Richardson watched from the sideline last fall as his previously undefeated Raptors got booted from the state soccer tournament title chase in the semifinals.

One year later, he moved from backup to backbone.

Two of Richardson's three saves thwarted golden St. Cloud Tech scoring chances as East Ridge won 2-0 on Monday at Husky Stadium in St. Cloud. The Raptors’ Ashwin Kolla and Grant Tostenrud each scored in the first half, all the offense necessary thanks to Richardson’s work in goal.

“I have full faith in Sam,” said Kolla, a senior who scored the first Raptors’ goal. “He’s been awesome all year and made so many saves. We wouldn’t be here without him.”

Not long after Kolla’s goal in the 30th minute, St. Cloud Tech seemed poised to answer. The Tigers shot a free kick that got blocked by a wall of defenders. The rebound should have tied the game. But Richardson batted away a rocket of a shot, sending the ball over the crossbar and giving his team a lift.

“I got in position and was just happy to save it,” Richardson said.

The No. 2 seed Raptors (15-2-3) kept the momentum after halftime as Richardson came off his line and made a point-blank stop. From there, St. Cloud Tech (17-2-2) really never threatened.

“That was probably when I knew we were going to win because I was playing at my best and my whole team was helping out,” Richardson said.
For veterans such as Kolla, advancing to the championship game is one half of a year-long redemption pursuit.

“Last year we were expecting to win the entire thing,” he said. “This year we have unfinished business.”

East Ridge scored twice in the first half, all the offense necessary in a 2-0 victory against St. Cloud Tech in the Class 2A boys’ soccer state semifinals.

The No. 2 seed Raptors (15-2-3) advance to play defending champion Anoka at 5 p.m. Thursday at Husky Stadium in St. Cloud.

Ashwin Kolla and Grant Tostenrud scored for East Ridge. St. Cloud Tech (17-2-2) nearly scored after Kolla’s goal but goalkeeper Sam Richardson deflected the shot over the crossbar.

Richardson made a point-blank stop early in the second half to keep momentum with his team.

A year ago, an undefeated and No. 1-seeded East Ridge team fell in the semifinals.

Check back later for more on the game.