Adapted soccer teams hungry for state title

The adapted soccer state tournament will take place Friday and Saturday at Stillwater High School. Sixteen teams will compete in two divisions — cognitively impaired (CI) and physically impaired (PI) — with eight teams in each. Championship games will be played Saturday afternoon. Here's a glance at two teams in each division vying to make a deep run:

PI Division

Minneapolis: The Tigers (7-1), who play their home games at South High School, enter the tournament on a high note after wining a conference title for the first time since 1986. The Tigers only loss came late last month against South Suburban, which first-year head coach Mike York's squad had defeated earlier in the season.

York said the program's "terrific turnaround" began one year ago when Minneapolis finished fifth in the PI Division state tournament. That taste of success left returning players hungry for an even better finish this season, he said.

One of the difference makers is ninth-grader Shafi Abdullah, who led the Tigers in scoring in his first season. The relatively young team has appreciated the leadership from its two seniors, York said, including forward Sadala Douglas.

"Sadala has his fair share of points, but where he has really helped us is with his hard work in the corners," York said.

"He fights for the ball and creates a ton of scoring opportunities for everyone."

Robbinsdale/Hopkins/Mound Westonka: "Surprise" isn't the first word that seemingly comes to mind for a team that has won six consecutive state titles and has lost only one game during the regular season in its quest for a seventh. But veteran coach Marcus Onsum maintains that is the best way to characterize the Falcons' 2014 campaign.

"Every year, I keep thinking we've had a great run," Onsum said. "With this group, I wasn't sure what to expect because we lost some key seniors last year. I genuinely have been impressed by the desire of this team."

Leading the way is sophomore Kellen Johnson, who has 19 goals and seven assists for Robbinsdale/Hopkins/Mound Westonka (5-1) heading into the state tournament.

In the net, the team is led by senior Andy Dubisar, who has allowed only seven goals in six games.

"Andy knew he had big shoes to fill this year," Onsum said. "He initially showed interest in playing goalie a few years ago, and he has really stepped up to the plate when his chance finally came."

CI Division

Dakota United: Dakota United may not be the top seed in the CI Division of the state tourney, but coach Tom Grothe believes it is in the hunt. The Hawks' 5-2 record includes a season-opening, one-goal loss to defending champion Burnsville/Farmington/Lakeville, which they avenged later in the season with a 6-1 victory.

"We know we are competitive, and we can certainly play with those top teams," Grothe said.

The 2012 CI state champs missed the tournament last season, but Grothe said this year's crop of seniors are prepared to make one last run at another title.

Included in that mix is top scoring center Carl Fagre, with 18 goals, and midfielder Tyler Lupie-Voss, who has scored 11 goals.

"We have fairly good team speed, and we have players that know how to win," Grothe said. "So we are looking forward to being back in the tournament."

North Suburban: The Cougars (9-1) had a strong season, finishing in a three-way tie atop the CI North Conference. Coach Deb Kline, in her 21st year with the team, is optimistic about its chances to make a run in the state tournament.

One question mark is the health of starting goalie Jonathan Caliendo, a sophomore who suffered a hand injury in North Suburban's loss to Park Center in the the regular season finale.

"Jonathan is awesome at what he does in the net," Kline said. "We are hoping he can play in the state tournament."

North Suburban is a scoring machine, having reached double-digit goals in four games this season.

Ninth-grader Austin Motzko and sophomore Anthony Bengston are the leading scorers for the team, which plays its home games at Centennial High School.

"Austin has really come a long way this year, and Anthony has been our 'rock star' center all season," Kline said.

"These kids are ready for the challenge the state tournament brings."