Call the Spartans the shootout kings.
Every week after surviving its Class A state quarterfinal via a shootout victory over St. Croix Prep, St. Paul Academy did it again Wednesday at U.S. Bank Stadium, edging Pine Island 4-3 in penalties after the 2 squads played to a scoreless draw through 100 minutes of motion.
It’s the second straight yr the Spartans have ripped out the hearts of Pine Island in downtown Minneapolis. St. Paul Academy scored three second-half goals in last yr’s state final to down Pine Island, 3-2.
This yr was someway more dramatic. What else could you expect from this St. Paul Academy postseason run? Nothing has come easy for the Spartans (16-3-1) of their pursuit of a 3rd straight state title. Every win from the beginning of sections has come by one tally, including a double-overtime win within the section semifinals against Hiawatha Collegiate and these last two shootout victories.
Erik Bjorgvinsson got the top-seeded Spartans on the board to open the shootout, going bottom left for a goal. Rowan McLean and Andrew Sullivan also scored for St. Paul Academy in the primary three rounds. Pine Island answered every time. But drama ensued in Round 4, as each teams sailed kicks over the crossbar.
But in Round 5, Spartans senior Arlo Zirps pulled a fast trigger on his attempt and buried one behind the online.
Fifth-seeded Pine Island’s do-or-die attempt sailed right, and the Spartans are one win away from a three-peat. They’ll be within the Class A final at 5 p.m. Friday back at U.S. Bank Stadium.
CLASS 2A
Holy Angels 2, Orono 0: The highest-seeded Stars went up 1-0 within the thirty seventh minute on a goal from senior forward Logan Ciresi, and junior midfielder William Ferrufino added an insurance goal within the second half as Holy Angels bested fourth-seeded Orono.
Totino-Grace 2, Blake 0: The second-seeded Eagles are back within the championship bout for the primary time since 2017. They’ll square off with Holy Angels in the ultimate at 12:30 p.m. Friday after downing the third-seeded Bears.
Junior forward Siman Gelato put the Eagles on top within the thirty third minute. Truett Dollins then scored within the 78th minute to essentially put the sport away with a free kick strike from 20 yards out to increase the result in two goals.