Anoka, Wayzata advance to Class 2A boys' soccer title game

St. Cloud - Anoka senior forward Felipe Genchi continues to torment undefeated soccer foes in the state tournament.

Genchi gave the Tornadoes a 2-1 semifinal upset of No. 2 seed Maple Grove with a goal in double overtime. Last week his corner kick deflected off a teammate to defeat Minnetonka at the buzzer in the quarterfinals.

Anoka and Wayzata, which stunned top-ranked and previously undefeated East Ridge in Tuesday's other semifinal, advance to the Class 2A championship game at 2:30 p.m. Thursday at Husky Stadium in St. Cloud. The Tornadoes and Trojans met for the 2007 state championship, a 2-0 Anoka victory.

Genchi found himself in the right spot for a golden opportunity.

"It was just there in front of me. I saw [teammate Joshua Dobler] going to it, but I felt like I had more of an advantage," Genchi said. "I toe-poked it right underneath the goalie. It was a great moment."

Unseeded Anoka (14-6-1) started the game in desired fashion, taking a 1-0 lead in the 24th minute on junior Conner Hudalla's direct free kick goal. Maple Grove (20-1) had not trailed all season.

Maple Grove coach Greg Leininger downplayed the psychological effect of an early deficit. When the teams met in late September, the Crimson won 5-1.

Sticking together under pressure, the Crimson rallied to tie in the 67th minute on a goal from senior Ben Zaver.

The score remained tied until Genchi stepped up.

"It's all in the mind," Genchi said of Anoka's improbable tournament run. "You've got to keep going until the last second."