Minnetonka scored the only goal and its defense took care of the rest to claim the Class 2A girls’ soccer crown with a 1-0 victory over Lakeville North in Thursday’s championship at the Metrodome.

An extra chance provided Minnetonka the one break it needed to complete the title run. The second of Diana Draayer’s back-to-back corner kicks in the 55th minute tucked into the front edge of the goal and deflected into the net off teammate Ellen Mau.

“We had all our tall players in there. … Luckily, someone hit it and we got the win,” Draayer said. “We’re all just so happy that we ended our season with a bang. We won state. We started the season not even ranked. So I’d say it was a great opportunity to show everyone what we’re made of.”

Draayer’s first of the two corner kicks was knocked out of bounds by Lakeville North and unveiled an opening near the post. Standing nearby were Minnetonka’s physical forwards: Mau, Elizabeth Endy and Rebekah Thoresen. Lakeville North goalkeeper Alexis Joyce recognized their presence, but before she realized it, the ball was behind her.

Thoresen was originally credited for the game-winner. Mau said it hit off a Lakeville North defender. Minnetonka’s coaches quickly convinced Mau the goal was hers.

Credit for the goal didn’t matter to Mau or any of the Skippers as they held their championship plaque and all-state trophies after the victory.

The Skippers’ defense achieved its fifth shutout of the postseason. Minnetonka goalkeeper Allison Haworth helped secure the win with a late save and the Skippers’ impressive back line handled the rest.

Among this group is Metro Player of the Year Endy, who played the first two-thirds of the game at forward. Endy celebrated Minnetonka’s go-ahead goal by looking to the sideline and pointing toward her own goal. The gesture to coach Jeff Hopkins confirmed Endy’s return to her natural position, and for the next 25 minutes the Skippers broke down any Lakeville North scoring opportunity.

It’s the program’s second state title in five appearances. The Skippers won it in 2001 and last qualified for the state tournament in 2005.

“They had speed on the outside and kept looking,” said Joyce, who made eight saves for the Panthers. “Any time you give up eight corner kicks, they should at least put one in.”