State soccer finals previews

With four state title matches in soccer to be played Thursday at the Metrodome, here is a look at the matchups and story lines:

2A BOYS: Wayzata vs. Apple Valley, 5:30 p.m.

It wasn't long ago that the idea of simply making the state tournament seemed a long shot for Wayzata. After a 2-1 loss to Minnetonka in late September, the Trojans' record was an unexpectedly dismal 3-6-4. It was then that coach Dominic Duenas pulled the team together for a heart-to-heart talk.

"We all talked about it and we realized we needed to play with more urgency," Duenas said. "We went over each of our games and it showed we could play with anyone. We just needed to work a little harder and learn how to win the close games."

Wayzata (12-6-4) has ripped off nine consecutive victories since the meeting was held, including Monday's 2-1 overtime victory over then-undefeated Woodbury in the Class 2A semifinals. The final test: undefeated Apple Valley (23-0).

"We're a good team," said sophomore forward Ellis Andrews, who scored both Wayzata goals in the semifinals. "We just had to prove it."

2A GIRLS: Wayzata vs. Woodbury, 3 p.m.

The Wayzata girls (17-0-5) will face a similarly daunting task as the boys: defeat a team that hasn't lost all year.

"We're going to have to be pretty much flawless defensively and we're going to have to create much more than we did [Tuesday]," Wayzata coach Tony Peszneker said. "Otherwise it's going to be a tough battle."

Woodbury steamrolled its way to a 3-0 victory in the semifinals and has now outscored its opponents 85-5 this season. The Royals (21-0-1) are a picture of calm and composure on the field. They are going for their second consecutive state title and third in the past four years.

"This year being a senior, you want to do it your last year," said Kassey Kallman, the Star Tribune's Metro Player of the Year. "You don't want to lose."

Mahtomedi senior goalkeeper James Neher started as a freshman when the Zephyrs lost to St. Cloud Cathedral in the 2006 state quarterfinals. He believes something much better is in store for his team this season.

"This has been a dream season and we're going somewhere we haven't been in a long time," he said Monday after making a key save to help the Zephyrs (16-3-3) upset Totino-Grace in an overtime shootout.

Hermantown (22-1), meanwhile, made school history by qualifying for its first-ever boys' soccer state tournament. Now the No. 3 seeded Hawks hope to become only the second team from northern Minnesota to win a state championship. Duluth Marshall was the Class 1A champion in 2007.

"People ask, 'Where are you from?' said Hermantown senior Brandon Crusan, who scored the winning goal in the semifinals against Simley. "We want to show what northern Minnesota has for soccer."

1A GIRLS: Orono vs. Blake, 10 a.m.

Orono coach Erin Murray always wanted to play for a state championship. She now considers the alternative -- coaching for one -- an even better option.

"I think it's more exciting now," Murray said. "It means so much to each one of these players."

The Spartans (19-2-2) will meet Blake (17-3-1) in their initial appearance in the Class 1A girls' final. Orono made five previous state tournament trips, including one with Murray as a player in 1997, without reaching the title tilt.

Orono and Blake played to a 1-1 tie a month ago. Bears coach Paul Menge expects a similar game this time around.

"They are a lot like us," Menge said. "We are both young and play a similar style. It should be an amazing game."

Various Star Tribune staff writers contributed to this report.