St. Cloud Tech's Khadar Korane (25) celebrated after scoring the game-winning shootout goal against Austin. Photo: Aaron Lavinsky • aaron.lavinsky@startribune.com
St. Cloud Tech defeated Austin on penalty kicks after the shootout was delayed over a ruling question involving an Austin goal that was disallowed.
In the shootout Wednesday night at North St. Paul High School, Austin’s Julio Hernandez Espindola scored on his team’s first try. A discussion ensued, however, and the goal was waved off because of an apparent stutter step he performed before kicking the ball.
Three rounds were completed, with St. Cloud Tech leading 2-1, before more discussion that led to Hernandez-Espindola shooting again. He made the kick, tying the shootout 2-2.
“They made the right call,” St. Cloud Tech coach Nantha Viswanathan said.
Both teams converted their next chance. In the fifth round, a Packers attempt hit the goal post, setting the stage for Khadar Korane, who converted his shot to advance the Tigers to the Class 1A semifinals.
“We have seen him take PKs all the time,” Viswanathan said. “He’s 100%.”
Photo gallery: Class 1A boys' quarterfinals
St. Cloud Tech led 1-0 at halftime after Ethan Miller scored in the 27th minute. Austin’s Henry Tolbert, a speedy midfielder, tied the game in the 54th minute. He took a heel pass from a teammate, driving about 15 yards up the field and blasting a 29-yard shot into the upper right corner of the goal.
“The stuff he can do is pretty insane,” St. Cloud Tech captain Joe Pearson said.
Both teams generated quality scoring chances throughout regulation. Hernandez Espindola kicked the ball over an open net in the 20th minute, after a deflected Tolbert shot spilled into the the goalie box.
St. Cloud had a shot hit off the post, a goal waved off because of an offsides call and two shots on goal in overtime.
“Normally we finish those, but you got to hand it to them,” Pearson said. “They’re an awesome team.”
Austin coach Jens Levisen, whose team has been to state three consecutive years, said he’s glad Tolbert is only a junior. “He’s been a great player for us for three years,” he said.
First report
St. Cloud Tech advanced to the Class 1A semifinals with a 4-3 shootout victory over Austin on Wednesday at North St. Paul High School.
In the shootout, Austin's Julio Hernandez Espindola scored on his team's first try but the goal was waved off because of an apparent stutter step he performed before kicking the ball.
Three rounds were completed, with St. Cloud Tech leading 2-1, before Hernandez-Espindola was allowed to shoot again. He made the kick, tying the shootout 2-2.
Austin converted its next chance, but the Tigers tied it up. The next Packers' attempt hit the goal post, setting the stage for Khadar Korane, who converted his shot to give the Tigers the victory.
St. Cloud Tech held a 1-0 lead at halftime after Ethan Miller scored in the 27th minute. Austin’s Henry Tolbert tied the game in the 54th minute, taking a heel pass from a teammate, driving about 15 yards up the field and blasting a 29-yard shot into the upper right corner of the goal.
Both teams generated quality scoring chances throughout regulation. Austin's Hernandez Espindola kicked the ball over an open net in the 20th minute, after a deflected Tolbert shot spilled into the middle of the goalie box.
St. Cloud Tech’s William Jett hit a shot off the post in the 33rd minute, and Miller had a 37th-minute goal waved off because of an offsides call.
The Tigers’ Mohamad Zakaria had two shots in the first portion of the overtime period, including an on-target liner that Austin goalie Casey Berg saved and another that went a few feet wide right.
Check back later for more on the game.
