For Joe Lagorio and his Edina teammates, celebrating a goal is a total team effort.
The Hornets' celebrations usually include the entire bench in addition to the players on the field.
“We all want to win, we’re all a big family, we’re all really close,” Lagorio said following Thursday night’s dramatic 3-1 win over Chanhassen in the Class 2A, Section 2 quarterfinals at Kuhlman Stadium.
“It’s just awesome when someone does something good and everyone else can celebrate with them," he added.
Lagario, a senior attacker, certainly did some good. His goal with just 2:31 left in regulation snapped a 1-1 tie and lifted the second-seeded Hornets over the seventh-seeded Storm.
“It’s awesome being able to contribute to a team like this,” Lagorio said.
The Hornets may have been looking for a larger gap in the final score.
“We didn’t want it to be that close,” Lagorio said. “But we pulled it together.”
Edina coach Dave Jenson said that his players may have been anxious due to the expectation of winning as the higher seed.
“I thought we played a little bit panicked because you think you should win,” said Jenson, who was pleased with the team’s style of play despite the game being closer than expected.
“Our three goals, we earned them,” he said. “I think the video will show that we played soccer the way we’re supposed to play.”
Lagorio’s speed and energy earns him significant playing time off the bench, Jenson said.
“(I)t really presents a problem for opponents,” said Jenson, explaining that Lagorio played a little less than usual due to some first-half foul trouble.
But with the game in its final minutes and the score tied, Jenson wasn’t afraid to gamble on his team’s depth.
“You roll the dice with the bench and you go, ‘Who’s gonna be the guy?’” Jenson said.
When his team celebrates, Jenson doesn’t have any room to roll the dice, literally or figuratively. He said the celebrations are emblematic of the vigor his team brings to each match.
“It (shows) their passion for the game,” Jenson said with a smile.
