Heading into the Class 1A state title match, Orono had allowed just six goals all season while Mahtomedi had conceded only one more at seven.
So it wasn’t surprising that it took 62 minutes for the breakthrough goal.
No. 3 Mahtomedi, though, eventually prevailed with a 2-1 result against No. 1 Orono on Thursday at U.S. Bank Stadium to claim the Zephyrs’ first title since 2008 in its first trip back to the final since 2010.
Orono (19-1-3) was in the final for the third time in four years, having won in 2014 and finishing second in 2015.
Mahtomedi (17-3-2) got the game's firstl goal from all-tournament senior forward Abby Shultz, with an assist from all-tournament junior defender Megan Clements. The Zephyrs weren’t sure if it went in right away and had a bit of a delayed celebration when they realized it had.
Orono, though, earned a penalty kick about four minutes later, and senior defender Maddie Loder stepped up to sink it.
But in the 73rd minute, junior midfielder Grace Padelford scored a goal off a top-corner distance strike for what proved to be the game-winner.
Check back later for more on the game.