The high-powered Worthington Trojans offense will collide against a tough Mankato West defense when the teams face off Tuesday night in New Prague for the section 2AA boys soccer championship and a berth in the state tournament.
Mankato West, the section's No. 2 seed, battled Mankato East to a scoreless tie through regulation time Thursday as well as two 10-minute shootout overtime sessions. West then topped East in a penalty-kick shootout, 5-4, to advance to tonight's sectional title match.
The Scarlets outshot Mankato East 14-7 in regulation and enjoyed better scoring opportunities, but it still took the penalty-kick shootout to win. All four players from each team made goals to start the shootout. Then, following a Mankato East shot that was denied by West goalie Drew Smook, Kuany Chol netted the match-winner.
Mankato West is 14-4 on the season. Worthington, meanwhile, is 18-0 and comes into Tuesday's match following a 9-1 triumph over New Ulm on Thursday night at Trojan Field. Jonathan Banegas had six goals in that match; Elmer Guzman had two goals and Santos Orellana the other one.
WHS, meanwhile, is not only strong on offense. Defensively, the Trojans have surrendered just five goals all year.
The match begins at 7:30 p.m. and will air on 104.3 The Bridge.
Comments