Holy Angels defender Ryan Welsch (23), right, attempted a shot on goal with teammate Shalim Montes Hernandez (33) at his side while being challenged by St. Croix Prep midfielder Jackson Sporer (7). Photo: Aaron Lavinsky • aaron.lavinsky@startribune.com
Top-seeded Holy Angels converted on three scoring opportunities in the first 30 minutes to defeat St. Croix Prep 3-0 in a Class 1A quarterfinal Thursday at Chisago Lakes High School.
Senior Porter Ball, who missed most of the Section 4 championship game with an injury, scored in the ninth minute, one-timing a Carter Hermanson heel pass into the net.
Hermanson scored in the 19th minute on a play that started when Mackie Zabinski made a well-timed pass into the goalie box. David Oslund scored in the 27th minute after breaking free of the St. Croix Prep defense and corralling a Dominic Sobhani pass.
“We were utilizing the edges and playing outside,” Ball said. “That’s how we got most of our chances.”
Holy Angels coach James See said the return of Ball “has been essential. … To step out and score and to allow us to manage him was just the best-case scenario for us.”
Photo gallery: Class 1A boys' and girls' quarterfinals
He also praised Shalim Montes Hernandez’s play after the sophomore returned Thursday from injury.
The Stars (19-0-1) clinched their second consecutive semifinals appearance.
Unseeded St. Croix Prep (16-4), based in Stillwater, made school history as the first team sports program to make a state-tournament appearance. The Lions generated a quality scoring chance on a corner kick early in the game and saw Chase Hoff’s 55th-minute shot clang off the crossbar.
“If we would have taken care of the opportunities, it’s a different game,” Lions coach Matt Carlson said.
First report
Holy Angels scored three early goals in a 3-0 victory over St. Croix Prep in the Class 1A quarterfinals Thursday at Chisago Lakes High School.
Senior Porter Ball scored in the ninth minute, one-timing a teammate's heel pass into the net. Carter Hermanson scored in the 19th minute and David Oslund scored in the 27th minute after breaking free of the St. Croix Prep defense and corralling a Dominic Sobhani pass.
The top-seeded Stars (19-0-1) clinched their second straight semifinals appearance.
Unseeded St. Croix Prep (16-4) was making its first state-tournament appearance. It had arguably its best scoring chance in the 55th minute, clanging a shot off the crossbar.
Check back later for more on the game.
