metro roundup

'Tonka prevails in OT

BOYS' SOCCER

• MINNETONKA 3, BLOOMINGTON JEFFERSON 2 (2 OTs): Senior forward Max Sharpe's 15-yard bullet in the first minute of the second overtime period eluded Jefferson goalkeeper Joe Engel and nestled into the far corner of the net, giving top-seeded Minnetonka a victory in the Class 2A, Section 2 championship game.

"I moved one way, made a touch to the right and I shot," Sharpe said. "I saw it hit the back of the net and it was the greatest feeling."

Sharpe's right-footed laser rescued Minnetonka from a potentially heart-breaking loss. After an even first half that ended in a 1-1 tie, the Skippers took a 2-1 lead in the 52nd minute on a goal by Adam Reiskytl, who was the beneficiary of a brilliant feed from teammate Suad Suljic.

That lead nearly stood up, but Minnetonka was called for a handball violation in the final minute of regulation. Jaguars midfielder Ryan Fitch, who had scored the game's first goal, hit a perfect 20-yard free kick to tie the score.

Both teams had gasp-inducing chances in the first 10-minute overtime period, but the game continued until Sharpe's goal.

Minnetonka (16-0-2) qualified for the Class 2A state tournament for the first time since 1999.

JIM PAULSEN

• MAPLE GROVE 3, MOUNDS VIEW 0: Maple Grove (19-0) will return to the Class 2A state tournament for the first time since 2011 after defeating Mounds View for the Section 5 championship. Senior Daniel Cortez staked the Crimson to a 2-0 lead with a pair of goals less than 12 minutes into the first half. "I found myself with a lot of space, so it was easy to relax," Cortez said. Reid Diamond scored the final goal for Maple Grove, ranked No. 2 in the final coaches poll.

DAVID LA VAQUE

• WAYZATA 4, ST. LOUIS PARK 2: Senior Clay Elmore capped his hat trick with two second-half goals as the Trojans defeated the Orioles for the Section 6 title. It will be Wayzata's first state tournament appearance since finishing runner-up in 2009.

GIRLS' SOCCER

• MINNEAPOLIS WASHBURN 4, BLAKE 0: Eleanor Colbert, Brooke Innes and Lucia Renikoff each scored a first-half goal, helping the Millers (18-0) beat Blake in the Class 1A, Section 3 final. Maya Rajacich added a goal with 1:20 left. The Millers (18-0) are returning to the state tournament for the first time since 1984.

STAFF REPORTS