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Stillwater faces adversity, survives against East Ridge in OT

By Peter Odney, SportsEngine, 09/08/16, 2:00PM CDT

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The Ponies hung tough against the Raptors and pulled out a victory on Spencer Scott's overtime goal.


A goal by Pony defender Logan Huber pulled Stillwater into the lead early in the first half. Stillwater would go on to win in overtime by one goal. Photo by Kelly McGinley.

Stillwater coach Jake Smothers knows adversity is key in helping his team improve. 

“I don’t want to give up the goal, but I do think it is important for them to be in positions where they have to hold on to a lead,” Smothers said after his players faced that scenario Thursday night against Suburban East Conference rival East Ridge. 

The Ponies, who are tied with Wayzata at No. 4 in the Class 2A coaches’ rankings, prevailed, keeping the No. 2-2A Raptors at bay for most of their 2-1 overtime victory.

Stillwater was first challenged to hold a lead for nearly all of the first half after sophomore defender Logan Huber scored to put the Ponies ahead 1-0 just 2:17 into the game. 

Huber and his teammates used their physical play to snuff out East Ridge’s possessions with regularity and slowing down the Raptors’ attack, a style game plan Stillwater followed with success for most of the second half.

“Soccer at this level requires a lot of energy, and it does require a little physicality,” Smothers said. 

Sophomore forward Spencer Scott said Stillwater knows its grinding style of play provides an advantage over teams. 

“We feel like we have a lot of depth, (so) it helps if we play physical and just wear (an opposing) team down,” Scott said. 

East Ridge may have been fatigued, but junior midfielder Graham Phipps tied the score with just over two minutes left in regulation, shifting the momentum to the Raptors bench. 

Rather than responding with nervous and agitated play, the Ponies performed a swift and cutting overtime session, taking a 2-1 lead early in the extra period’s first half on a goal by Scott. 

“I think when that goal went in, it almost relieved the pressure and they were able to start playing again,” Smothers said. “I think we saw that with the way the overtime went.”

Scott, new to the Ponies soccer team after suiting up for the football team last year, said he was unaware of the overtime rules.

“This is my first year playing varsity soccer, so I thought we were just going to tie,” Scott said. “I didn’t know there was extra time.”

Scott made the most of his newfound discovery, drilling the game-winner from approximately 18 yards out.

Smothers said having two sophomores make an impact in a thrilling win bodes well for the team. 

“The intensity of high school soccer has been a little overwhelming at times for some of the younger guys,” Smothers said. “To see them start to step up and fill roles and (take) responsibility is great.” 


Stillwater sophomore Spencer Scott scores the sole goal in over time against East Ridge. The Ponies were the victors with a final score of 2-1. Photo by Kelly McGinley.

First Report

Sophomore forward Spencer Scott scored the eventual game-winning goal just over a minute into the first half of overtime and Stillwater held on to the lead in the second to record a 2-1 victory over East Ridge in Suburban East Conference action on Thursday night at the Raptor’s Nest in Woodbury. 

The Ponies (5-0-0, 4-0-0), who are tied with Wayzata at No. 3 in the Class 2A coaches’ poll, took the game’s first lead early in the first half on a goal by sophomore defender Logan Huber. 

Junior midfielder Graham Phipps scored for the No. 2-2A Raptors (4-1-0, 4-1-0) with 2:08 remaining in regulation to tie the game and force overtime.


Raptor midfielder Graham Phipps scores the game tying goal with two minutes left in regulation. Photo by Kelly McGinley.

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