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Totino-Grace pushes Anoka aside to claim its season-opener

By Trevor Squire, SportsEngine, 08/25/17, 9:45AM CDT

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Herbert Endeley scored twice, helping the Eagles defeat the Tornadoes 3-1.



Totino-Grace's Herbert Endeley (5) maneuvers past Anoka defender Quinn Putt. Endeley scored twice in the Eagle's 3-1 victory over the Tornadoes on Friday night. Photo by Cheryl Myers, SportsEngine

Herbert Endeley, a three-year starter for Totino-Grace, has played Anoka each of the past three years in the Eagles’ season-opener.

While Endeley’s familiarity with the Tornadoes’ intensity was no surprise, many of his teammates logged their first varsity minutes against a program that’s been groomed by Pete Hayes, who’s regarded as a master motivator by coaches across the state.

“They’re a good team,” Endeley said. “Really physical and strong and they have speed up-top, so it’s always a tough matchup.”

Endeley eased his teammates’ nerves by netting his second goal of the game in the final seconds to push Totino-Grace to a 3-1 victory over Anoka (0-1, 0-1) Friday night at home.

“We kept it exciting,” Eagles coach Bill Vance said. “If we finished a few more of our chances in the first half, but every time you play Anoka, they’re in it.”

The Eagles graduated 11 seniors from last fall, and while some players on the back-end lack varsity experience, they make up for it in leadership, balancing the skill of Totino-Grace’s attack that’s led by Endeley.

“It’s nice to know I always will have someone to lead me through tough times and to help me when things are hard,” Endeley said.

Totino-Grace (1-0, 1-0) missed its first section final in 10 years last year when the Eagles received the top-seed, but were upset by ninth-seeded Columbia Heights in the quarterfinals.

Some of the returners have fostered that upset and used it as motivation in the offseason, but Vance acknowledged that with such a new group, many are fixed on the present.

“It’s a new team, new season,” Vance said. “Some guys have that in the back of their mind, but in general, it’s such a new group of players, I think that’s history and they’re focused on this season.”

Hayes, entering his 30th and final season, will be inducted into the Minnesota Soccer Coaches Association Hall of Fame this year and knows the learning curve many players face at the varsity level.

“This is my last opening day--so I kind of wanted a win--but that’s the way it goes. All that matters is how you do at the end of the year,” he said. “The faster they figure out how hard you have to play at this level, the sooner you’ll see success.” 

Endeley's had a scoring knack since his youth days and is comfortable dodging defenders on lengthy runs. What’s come along during his time on varsity is better decision-making, a skill Vance believes will set his teammates up for scoring chances this season.

Endeley echoed his coach’s vision.

“‘I am, because we are,’” Endeley said, citing his team’s motto this fall. “It reminds us that ‘we is bigger than me’ and we always have to support each other.”


Senior goalie Travis Jankowski makes a diving save for Anoka as Totino-Grace attackers apply pressure. Photo by Cheryl Myers, SportsEngine

First Report

Herbert Endeley netted two goals to lead the Eagles to a 3-1 victory over Northwest Suburban Conference foe Anoka on Friday night at Totino-Grace High School.

The Tornadoes had chances late in the game, but in the final minute, Endeley slipped a shot to the back of the net as time expired, securing the win in the Eagles’ season opener.

Collin Matzoll broke the game open at the 24-minute mark, scoring past Tornadoes goalkeeper Travis Jankowski off a cross from teammate Liam Vance.

Endeley found the net five minutes later to put Totino-Grace (1-0, 1-0) ahead 2-0 at the end of the first half.

Anoka’s Blake Perry was awarded a penalty kick 30 seconds into the second frame and converted to cut the deficit to one, but the Tornadoes (0-1, 0-1) were unable to find the equalizer.

Jankowski made 12 saves for Anoka, while Eagles keeper Philip Ronza stopped six shots for the win.

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Collin Matzoll scored first for the Eagles at the 24 minute mark in the first half. Photo by Cheryl Myers, SportsEngine

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