St. Louis Park tops Orono in overtime

Noticing that midfielder Derek Olson was routinely beating his marked opponent Saturday, St. Louis Park boys' soccer coach Chato Alvarado orchestrated a simple second-half game plan in the Class 1A, Section 6 championship game: When the Orioles were given a throw-in deep in Orono's zone, direct the ball to Olson.

It took the whole half -- and then some -- for it finally to work to perfection. And what a payoff it was.

With the field and the game's momentum seemingly tipped in the Orioles' favor, Andrew Decker's throw-in from the far end of the field glanced off Olson and right to attacker Casey Villagrana. His header at 6 minutes, 55 seconds into sudden-death overtime popped into the top-right corner of the goal, giving St. Louis Park a 1-0 victory at Orono High School.

"I just happened to be there and flicked it in," Villagrana said. "I had a feeling it would be coming to me, but I didn't think I'd get the goal. This is amazing."

The Orioles, seeded fourth in the section tournament, are headed back to state a year after finishing runner-up to Osseo in Class 2A last fall. St. Louis Park dropped to 1A this season.

In Saturday's game, the second-seeded Spartans had the early pressure but not the best scoring chance. That came at the 22-minute mark of the first half, when St. Louis Park had a point-blank shot blocked by Orono goalkeeper Mitchell Wolff, who sent a rebound right to Villagrana at the top of the goal box.

His put-back rolled toward the right goalpost, but was stopped at the line, keeping the game scoreless.

Orono found the back of the net twice -- once in each half -- but both plays were ruled offsides.

"Both teams had opportunities to score," Alvarado said. "But it's high school soccer. There are going to be missed opportunities."

BRIAN STENSAAS

Also in Class 1A boys' action:

Mahtomedi 2, South St. Paul 1 (OT): The Zephyrs turned to senior leadership to win the Section 4 crown. Senior Ryan Redmond scored 1 minute, 20 seconds into overtime, lifting Mahtomedi over the Packers.

Mahtomedi senior Will Corcoran opened the scoring on a free kick late in the first half. Goalkeeper James Neher made eight saves for the Zephyrs, who have given up more than one goal only once this season.

Blake 1, St. Paul Academy 0: Senior Andi Fost scored on a header after taking a chip pass from freshman Nicole Kozlak with less than three minutes remaining, lifting the Bears over the top-seeded Spartans in Section 3 and giving them their fifth trip to the state tournament.

Blake has reached the state finals in three of its previous four appearances, winning the title in 2000. Freshman goalkeeper Maddy Crawford, replacing injured Addie Adams, recorded the shutout.

Orono 1, Benilde-St. Margaret's 0: The Spartans used an own goal five minutes into the second half to knock off the No. 1 seed Red Knights for the Section 6 championship. Senior goalkeeper Grete Miller made 12 stops to record the shutout.