The coach of the losing team called it the most exhilarating game she had coached or witnessed as a parent. The winning coach called it "easily the greatest soccer game I've ever seen, let alone coached."
Three minutes remained in the adapted soccer state tournament championship game in the physically impaired (PI) division Saturday at Stillwater High School. Undefeated Dakota United held a one-goal lead over the dynasty from Robbinsdale/Hopkins/Mound Westonka.
Sophomore Grayson Nicolay had knocked in all four Dakota United goals, and had two good chances denied as the clock wound down.
Robins coach Marcus Osnum called timeout and pondered that his team's run might be over. Stay with the regular plan, he told his charges. If the team still trailed with 90 seconds left, then the defense would move up for a final frantic attempt at a tying goal.
As play resumed, one of those defenders, junior Jeremy Jost, had possession of the ball. "I saw right where I wanted to kick it,'' said Jost, describing an opening on the left side of the net. "I didn't think it was going to go in."
It did, setting the stage for Tyler Sarff's last-minute goal and the Robins' dramatic 5-4 victory for their sixth consecutive state championship.
Dakota United (12-1) scored first, but the Robins (9-0) went ahead 3-2 only seconds before halftime on Joe Dubisar's second goal. Then Nicolay tied it up again five seconds into the second half.
Nicolay scored three minutes later to give his team the lead. All the Hawks had to do was hold on — against a perennial power.