Washburn Sam Abrams left celebrated his wining over time goal with JP Ferreira during Class 2A boy's soccer state quarter final action Tuesday October 27, 2015 in St. Louis Park, MN. ] Class 2A boy's soccer state quarter final between Minnetonka lost 4-3
The Class 2A soccer semifinal matches are set for Monday at Husky Stadium at St. Cloud State. The Anoka boys and Eagan girls are seeking to defend their titles. Finals will be played Thursday.
girls’ matches
Lakeville North (17-1-0) vs. Eden Prairie (14-3-3), 9 a.m.
Lakeville North at a glance: The Panthers have not allowed a goal in 13 straight games, dating to their only loss of the season — 2-1 to Eagan. Lakeville North enters as the top-ranked team.
Eden Prairie at a glance: The Eagles advanced with a 1-0 win over Wayzata, thanks to a goal by Kara Bean. Brianna Lupo is the Eagles’ leading goal scorer.
Key to watch: Lakeville North’s best defense is often its offense. If the Panthers can control possession, scoring chances will be hard to come by for Eden Prairie.
TYLER MASON
Mounds View (19-0-1) vs. Eagan (17-2-1), 11 a.m.
Mounds View at a glance: The Mustangs did not permit a single Centennial shot in the quarterfinals. Zero. You can’t lose if the opposition can’t score, and Mounds View plays keep-away as well as any team.
Eagan at a glance: The defending champions ripped 23 shots at Rogers in the quarterfinals, putting eight on frame and one in the net. Jade King and Taylor Kenealy apply consistent pressure.
Key to watch: Both teams prevailed in the quarterfinals on a night when snow covered the Husky Stadium field. When it comes to altering a game’s pace, however, deep and talented Mounds View is more capable than Mother Nature.
DAVID LA VAQUE
Boys’ matches
Mpls. Washburn (12-4-3) vs. Anoka (15-3-2), 3 p.m.
Washburn at a glance: The Millers pulled off the biggest upset of the tournament so far by knocking off No. 1 seed Minnetonka in overtime. Sam Abrams was the hero in that game as he scored the overtime winner.
Anoka at a glance: Connor Schaaf (14 goals) and Donnie Guimont (nine goals) are a formidable 1-2 punch. Guimont scored a big goal in Anoka’s 2-1 win over Eagan in the first round.
Key to watch: For Washburn’s magical run to continue, the Millers will have to slow down an Anoka offense that ranked 10th in Class 2A in regular-season goals with 40.
TYLER MASON
East Ridge (14-2-3) vs. St. Cloud Tech (17-1-2), 5 p.m.
East Ridge at a glance: The second-seeded Raptors defeated Rochester Mayo 2-0 in the quarterfinals. Jarrod Ronquillo and Bailey Barjesteh are among the team’s scoring leaders. The team is making its second state appearance. It lost to Wayzata in the semifinals last year despite being the top seed.
St. Cloud Tech at a glance: The Tigers defeated third-seeded Park Center 2-0 in the quarterfinals. The team last made state in 2008. Freshman Mohamed Abdi leads the team in goals with 16. Senior captain Mohamud Aden has nine.
Key to watch: Coach Anthony Tidwell said the team was “a little on edge” to start the quarterfinals. Look for the Raptors to start quickly against St. Cloud Tech.
NATE GOTLIEB
Tag(s): Rochester Mayo St. Cloud Tech Eden Prairie Minnetonka Wayzata Rogers Anoka Centennial Park Center Eagan Lakeville North East Ridge Mounds View Rochester Mayo St. Cloud Tech Eden Prairie Minnetonka Wayzata Rogers Anoka Centennial Park Center Eagan Lakeville North East Ridge Mounds View Class 2A Class 2A Class 2A Class 2A Class 2A Class 2A