Trailing late in a playoff game to Edina, there was plenty of reason for Minnetonka to feel down.
But there was plenty of reason to believe, as well.
So belief, coupled with some timely finishing, was enough, as No. 3-seeded Minnetonka scored two goals in the final 3 minutes, 20 second to stun No. 2 Edina in a Class 2A, Section 2 semifinal Thursday.
Senior Annika Muller finished a low cross to the far post from Riley Brackin with 1:04 to play to put Minnetonka (12-4-1) ahead in a game that was largely dominated by Edina (11-4-2).
Four of the last five meetings between Minnetonka and Edina went to overtime. This one almost did, too.
Annika Muller scored with 1 minute, 4 seconds left as Minnetonka, the No. 3 seed in Class 2A, Section 2, upset No. 2 Edina in a 2-1 semifinal win Thursday at Kuhlman Stadium. The Skippers (12-4-1) scored both of their goals with less than four minutes remaining.
With 3:20 to play, Emilia Johnson’s header on a corner kick from Grace Weisman evened the game 1-1. Then, with just over a minute left, Riley Brackin found Muller by the far post, and Muller put away a ball for a 2-1 Minnetonka lead.
Edina, ranked No. 7 in the Class 2A coaches' poll, controlled possession all game, and had 16 shots on goal to four for No. 10-2A Minnetonka.
Maddie Dahlien scored first — the Hornets' lone goal. The freshman got to the right side of the goal and finished toward the far side for a 1-0 lead early in the first half.
Minnetonka was the only Lake Conference team Edina (11-4-2) did not beat in the regular season — the teams tied 3-3 Sept. 25 and the Skippers won 1-0 Sept. 6.
Edina’s Cassie Michel made two saves. Paige Kahlmeyer had seven saves for Minnetonka in the first half and Olivia Graupmann had eight in the second half.
Minnetonka advances to face No. 1-seed Eden Prairie Tuesday.
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