ST. CLOUD – This wasn't the way things had typically gone for the DeLaSalle boys' soccer team.

The No. 1-seeded Islanders were used to controlling games, using their speed and touch-passing skills to overwhelm opponents. But Chaska was dominating the Islanders on Wednesday at Husky Stadium in the Class 1A state semifinals, getting plenty of chances.

No matter. The manner in which the Islanders won may have been different, but the outcome was the same. DeLaSalle defeated Chaska 2-1 in the final minute of overtime when forward Michael Wageman headed in a picture-perfect crossing pass from teammate Christian Kardio. The victory sends DeLaSalle (19-1-1) to the championship on Thursday in its first state tournament.

"That was definitely the best goal of my life," Wageman said. "Christian gave me a perfect pass, and all I had to do was tap it in."

To that point, it appeared that the Islanders' dream season would end. Chaska controlled play for most of the game, using speed in the middle to keep pressure on the DeLaSalle defense.

After a scoreless first half, DeLaSalle made one of its few forays into the Chaska penalty box count when Chris Riera chipped in his own rebound for a 1-0 lead in the 52nd minute.

Chaska ramped up the pressure and it paid off seven minutes later on a Joshua Prater header, tying the score.

The Hawks (14-6) had several terrific chances over the rest of the second half and into overtime, including a shot by Jose Cholico in overtime that banged off the post.

"That was very unusual," Riera said. "We usually play fast and get up on opponents, but they were playing better than us. It's amazing to think that we won."

JIM PAULSEN