TREVOR KLINK

Rogers • soccer

The senior forward acknowledged that had never been involved in a game with as many dramatic twists as in the Royals' 5-4 victory over Maple Grove on Saturday in the Class 2A, Section 8 semifinals. The game featured four lead changes, three penalty-kick goals, two overtimes and one fantastic game-winning goal.

"I had a throw-in from about 30 yards out and I threw it to Logan Olkon and he flicked it into the goal," Klink said. "We try that every time but I think it's only worked once. It took about two seconds for it to hit me that we had won."

The assist was Klink's second of the game, to go with two goals he had scored in regulation. Two days earlier in the section quarterfinals, he had tallied the game-winner in a 2-1 overtime victory over St. Michael-Albertville. Rogers plays St. Cloud Tech on Tuesday in the section finals for a shot at the first state tournament berth in team history.

"This is the best year we've ever had," said Klink, who is enjoying his best year ever as well, with 29 goals and 22 assists. "I think if we can keep the momentum going from Saturday, we should be good."

PAIGE ASPINWALL

Maple Grove • volleyball

The senior setter orchestrated a perfect 5-0 week for the Crimson, including the championship of the Sartell Tournament. Overall, Aspinwall had 126 set assists, 26 digs and 7 kills, highlighted by a 39-assist effort in a 3-0 victory over Sartell in the finals.

THOMAS BARBER

Armstrong • football

The senior linebacker/fullback, who has committed to Minnesota, made 16 tackles — 12 of them solo — and rushed for 58 yards and three touchdowns as the Falcons defeated Woodbury 43-27 in the 6A playoffs. It was Armstrong's first postseason victory since 2009.

Paul Klauda, Star Tribune

SARAH GIGSTAD

Burnsville • soccer

The senior goalkeeper demonstrating a time-honored soccer truth: A team cannot lose if the opponent doesn't score. She made 14 total saves as the Blaze advanced to the Class 2A, Section 3 final with shutout victories over Hastings (3-0) and Eastview (1-0).

TELLY MUTANGA

Irondale • football

Irondale won its second game of the season and avenged a loss to St. Louis Park in week six, routing the Orioles 33-7 in the first round of the Class 5A, Section 5 playoffs. Mutanga, a senior RB , rushed 26 times for 178 yards and scored four touchdowns, both career highs.

ALEXIS TOUSIGNANT

Lakeville North • soccer

The Panthers advanced to the Class 2A, Section 1 final with 5-0 victories over New Prague and Owatonna. The senior forward scored two goals in each game and had two assists in the victory over Owatonna. Tousignault has 10 goals this season, four in postseason play.

STEPHEN WAGNER

Stillwater • football

The senior running back was more workhorse than pony Friday, rushing 35 times for 202 yards and scoring his 13th touchdown of the season as the Ponies blanked Champlin Park 23-0 in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs.

JIM PAULSEN

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