MN high school girls soccer state tournament 2024

Elle Wildman isn’t a stranger to late-game theatrics.

Two summers ago, the current East Ridge senior was the youngest player trapped on a 14-hour bus ride with some of the Midwest’s top college soccer talents. Among them: Khyah Harper, Minnesota’s NCAA-leading goal scorer, and others player with years of Division I soccer under their belts.

Despite her young age, Wildman started when her Salvo SC Women’s Premier Soccer League team finally made it to Oklahoma for its league semifinal. In the 130-team preprofessional summer league with plenty of pro alumni, Wildman’s Eagan-based team finished second, after a 1-0 championship loss to Charlotte.

It was a heartbreaker. The Charlotte Eagles scored in the 94th minute.

This time, in East Ridge’s Class 3A girls soccer state quarterfinal against Maple Grove on Tuesday at White Bear Lake, that experience helped Wildman make sure any last-minute goals went in the Raptors’ favor. One did, with nine seconds to play, and it gave East Ridge a 1-0 victory.

For more on Wildman and the Raptors' victory, click here to read this story on startribune.com.