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Sydney Panek leads Mahtomedi girls past Mounds View

By Dominic Davis, SportsEngine, 09/21/17, 10:15AM CDT

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The sophomore scored the only goal of the game, leading the Zephyrs to victory.



Mahtomedi sophomore goalkeeper Megan Lisowy knocks down a key save at the 72 minute mark to keep the game scoreless. The Zephyr's went on to defeat the Mustangs 1-0 at Mahtomedi High School. Photo by Cheryl Myers, SportsEngine

Decision making is one of the most important skills in soccer. A decision made by Mahtomedi forward Abby Shultz led to a 1-0 win against a formidable Mounds View (9-2-0) team on Thursday.

It was one play that turned a draw into a win for the Zephyrs, who are ranked fifth in the Class 1A coaches’ poll.

Sydney Panek played the ball wide to Shultz. Shultz moved the ball up the right side and saw Panek in front of goal. She played a great low cross to the sophomore who ran all the way from midfield to get in position to score for the Zephyrs (8-2-1) with five minutes left in the game.

Shultz, a senior, chose not to cut the ball back to see more options, choosing to trust her instincts and Panek.

“I know Sydney’s there every single time for me,” Shultz said. “She’s such a great addition to our team. I love playing with her just because I know that she’ll be there when I play the ball . . . I knew it was going in the back of the net.”

Whether it be playing soccer or singing in choir or in a musical, Shultz enjoys engaging with others who are as passionate as she is about those things.

That’s why she decided to play soccer for the University of Northern Iowa next year. Shultz said the team seemed very close to each other when she visited.

“I like to be surrounded by people who love to do what I love to do,” Shultz said. “That makes a much better, healthier environment if everybody loves what they’re doing.”

Zephyrs coach Dave Wald praised Shultz’s leadership qualities. He said she brings a lot of energy that her teammates feed on.

Wald said Shultz can become a great player at the college level if she chooses to focus on soccer.

“She’s got all the tools,” Wald said. “She’s a very talented young lady. It depends on what she puts her energy in to. She’s a great singer as well, and she likes singing and theater. It’s really what she wants to do.”

Shultz has a long history of how she got into singing. When she was younger, her parents would say when she’s happy, she’ll sing.

Prior to middle school she only sang for fun. She took her joy for vocals to another level when she joined choir.

“In middle school, I was in a select choir, which is when I fell in love with it and fell in love with people who love to sing as well.”

Shultz is keeping her options open academically because she isn’t sure what she wants for a career, but she knows she is putting herself in position to explore her interests and continue to grow in soccer and singing.

“I wanted somewhere where I could do everything,” Shultz said. “After talking to the coach there [I know] they support you in everything that you do.”

First Report

Mahtomedi’s Sydney Panek scored with five minutes remaining in the match to beat Mounds View 1-0 at home on Thursday.

Abby Shultz ran up the right side and played a low cross to the feet of Panek, who tapped it in for the Zephyrs (8-2-1).

The first half saw both sides unable to test the opposing goalie. The half was spent in the middle of the field trying to build an attack.

Mustangs (9-2-0) goalie Emma Stobbe needed a sub in the first couple of minutes of the match to check for a potential head injury. Forward Sara Wendt took her place in net for the few minutes Stobbe was on the sideline.

Both goalies needed to make saves in the second half. They both were on the verge of clean sheets until Panek scored her late goal.

Stobbe and Zephyrs goalie Megan Lisowy each made four saves in the game.

This is the second consecutive loss for the Mustangs after starting 9-0 on the season.


Mahtomedi forward Abby Shultz (5) maneuvers past Mounds View forward Sara Wendt (16) and looks for the pass downfield. Schultz made the assist on the only goal of the night as the Zephyr's defeat the Mustangs 1-0. Photo by Cheryl Myers, SportsEngine

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Sydney Panek (4) scored the only goal in the contest with just over five minutes remaining in regulation. Photo by Cheryl Myers, SportsEngine

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