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Senior captains fuel Rosemount boys' soccer season turnaround to reach state

By RON HAGGSTROM, Star Tribune, 10/21/14, 6:57PM CDT

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Two weeks into the season, the Rosemount boys’ soccer team had lost its first five games. By the end it had turned things around to reach the Class 2A tournament.

Two weeks into the season, the Rosemount boys’ soccer team had lost its first five games. By the end it had turned things around to reach the Class 2A tournament.

“The boys continued to practice like they were 5-0 instead of 0-5,’’ Rosemount assistant coach Karl Peterson said. “This can be greatly attributed to senior leadership, especially by captains Marty Kelly and Andrew Weiler.”

The Irish entered Section 3 play as the No. 6 seed. In the quarterfinals Rosemount defeated Eastview in a shootout after playing to a scoreless draw. Then it edged Eagan 2-1 in the semifinals and defeated Park of Cottage Grove by the same score in the championship.

The victories avenged setbacks to both Eagan and Park of Cottage Grove in those first five games. The Irish later lost to Eastview during the regular season, too.

The season began with losses to top teams Edina, Eagan and Park of Cottage Grove, Peterson said.

“The season improved from there but all the things we had worked so hard to improve came together for our last game, an 8-0 win at Burnsville. This is where we really caught fire and believed we could compete with any team.”

Senior midfielder Kohl Sparrman is the squad’s leading scorer, with eight goals and nine assists. He set up both goals, by junior attacker Colin Mitchell and junior defender Samuel Heupel, in the Section 3 championship game.

Football playoffs set

South Suburban Conference football champion Rosemount (8-0) earned the No. 1 seed in Section 3 of the Class 6A playoffs that begin Friday. Lakeville North (7-1) is the No. 2 seed. The Irish will host Farmington (0-8) while the Panthers will host Park of Cottage Grove (2-6).

Prior Lake (7-1) earned the No. 2 seed, behind Eden Prairie, in Section 6. The Lakers will be at home against Armstrong (3-5). Shakopee (2-6) travels to Eden Prairie (8-0).

Other Section 3 matchups are No. 6 Burnsville (3-5) at No. 3 Eastview (4-4) and No. 5 Lakeville South (3-5) at No. 4 Eagan (4-4).

Top performances

• Sophomore defender Temi Carda scored both goals for Lakeville North in a 2-0 victory over Rochester Mayo in the Class 1A, Section 1 girls’ soccer championship game. She has six goals on the season.

• Northfield senior quarterback Tommy McDonald ran for 126 yards and three touchdowns in a 46-15 victory over Owatonna, helping the Raiders earn a share of the Big Nine Conference title with Mankato West.

 

Ron Haggstrom • 612-673-4498