The Worthington Trojans boys soccer team advanced to the Section 2AA finals with a nail-biting 1-0 victory over Mankato East Thursday night at Trojan Field.
The Trojans, the tournament’s top seed, will now face second-seeded New Prague, which edged Marshall 2-1 on Thursday in the other sectional semifinal, with a state tourney berth on the line. The pre-determined site for the match is New Prague, meaning that the top-seeded Trojans will be playing a road match in the finals.
Jonathan Banegas scored the only goal WHS would need Thursday, as he connected on a short-range goal on a pass from Charles Saydee with 25:26 remaining before halftime. The Trojans, for the most part, controlled first-half play, but momentum began to shift in the second half as the Cougars began to repeatedly create turnovers and pressure the Worthington defense.
Mankato East had perhaps its best chance to tie the game in the waning seconds, but the Trojan defense held firm and withstood a final attack up close to hold on for the triumph. Eduardo Dominguez played the entire game at goalkeeper and picked up the shutout with the help of a tenacious defense in front of him.
Worthington now has an overall record of 16-2 this season. The fourth-seeded Cougars finish at 7-9-2.
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In high school football Thursday night, Worthington traveled to Waseca and was defeated by the Blue Jays 47-0. The Trojans are 0-7, while Waseca is 6-1. The Trojans play their final regular-season game at home Wednesday against New Ulm.
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The Worthington Trojans volleyball team captured a non-conference match at home Thursday night against Southwest Minnesota Christian, winning 3-0. Scores were 25-12, 25-16, 25-23.
Ellie Weg led Worthington offensively with 13 kills, and she also had a team-best 17 digs as well as four blocks. Tarren Spartz added 11 kills as well as 17-for-17 serving with three aces. Jayden Spartz was 21-for-22 serving with four aces.
Alco chipping in for the Trojans were: Regan Schafer, who had 15 digs; Addison Gerber, 29 set assists, 11 digs, and 10-of-10 serving with one ace; Madison Beckmann, seven kills; and Ally Iverson, 10-of-10 serving.
Worthington now has a record of 16-10 this season.
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In area high school volleyball Thursday, it was:
Minneota 3, Tracy-Milroy-Balaton 0
Pipestone Area 3, Westbrook-Walnut Grove 0
Martin County West 3, Blue Earth 1
Luverne 3, Adrian-Ellsworth 1
Windom 3, St. James Area 0
In area high school football, it was:
Springfield 14, Martin County West 8
Murray County Central 22, Minnesota Valley Lutheran 14
Fairmont 28, Luverne 6
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