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Class 2A boys: Wayzata defeats Maple Grove to return to title game

By DAVID LA VAQUE, Star Tribune, 10/30/17, 9:30AM CDT

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The Trojans took a 2-0 lead at halftime, then quickly answered a Crimson goal with one of their own en route to a 6-2 victory.


Patrick Weah (10) of Wayzata and Jack Gleckler (8) of Maple Grove battle for control of the ball in the Class 2A semifinals Monday at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo: Richard Tsong-Taatarii/Richard.tsong-taatarii@startribune.com

Making things difficult for opponents, whether with the ball or without, drove the Wayzata boys’ soccer team all season.

An undefeated record and second consecutive Class 2A state title game appearance were byproducts of the Trojans’ daily mission.

Top-seed Wayzata (19-0-2) dispatched Maple Grove 6-2 in the first semifinal Monday at U.S. Bank Stadium. 

First-half goals from Walter Smith and Stuart Sain put Wayzata ahead 2-0 at halftime. No. 4 seed Maple Grove (16-2-2) cut the deficit to 2-1 as Jack Gleckler headed a corner kick home in the 46th minute. The Crimson, which scored three or more goals in five of its past six games, felt poised to rally.

“We had a lot of momentum at that point and I thought that would be a good start to a comeback,” Gleckler said. “I had high hopes.”

But 39 seconds later, as the final celebratory notes poured out of the Maple Grove band, Wayzata’s Sadra Golzarian restored a 3-1 Trojans’ lead.

“At halftime we talked about how important it was for us to get the third goal and if we did, it would basically be game over,” Golzarian said.

The goal “definitely killed us,” Crimson coach Greg Leininger said.
Patrick Weah added a Wayzata goal three minutes later and the Trojans never looked back.

First report

Top-seed Wayzata dispatched Maple Grove 6-2 in Monday’s first Class 2A boys’ soccer state tournament semifinal.

The Trojans (19-0-2) advance to the title game at U.S. Bank Stadium for the second consecutive season.

Wayzata faces either defending state champion and No. 2 seed Stillwater or No. 3 seed Duluth East on Thursday.

First-half goals from Walter Smith and Stuart Sain put Wayzata ahead 2-0 at halftime.

No. 4 seed Maple Grove, which lost just its second game all season, cut the deficit to 2-1 as Jack Gleckler headed a corner kick home in the 46th minute. But 39 seconds later, Wayzata's Sadra Golzarian restored a 3-1 Trojans’ lead.

Check back later for more on the game.

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