Recent content from David La Vaque
Loons fall short in 2-1 loss to Austin despite furious final-minutes attack
A losing team deserving better is a common lament in soccer circles, but Minnesota United made a strong case Wednesday at Austin.
Minnesota United set to take on Austin FC, perhaps injured star
Sebastián Driussi has been injured but could make an appearance in Wednesday's game against the Loons.
Reynoso, Dibassy have first full workout of season with Loons
Minnesota United team training Tuesday grew more crowded by two with Emanuel Reynoso logging his first full session after being suspended and Bakaye Dibassy closing in on a return for his 2022 leg injury.
Minnesota United has come to rely on Hlongwane's good vibes
Bongi Hlongwane has five goals in 16 games and has galvanized the team with his personality, heading into Saturday's home game against Real Salt Lake.
Minnesota United preps for another tight battle with Real Salt Lake
The Loons will be back at home for Saturday night's game against their MLS Western Conference rivals.
Reynoso takes another step in odyssey back to Loons lineup
The two-time All-Star practiced with his Minnesota United teammates for the first time this season, keeping the session light as planned.
Minnesota Aurora open season in fine form with 5-0 victory
Forward Catherine Rapp scored her team's first and third goals, and former goalkeeper Sarah Fuller — now a sponsor relations staff member — was on hand to support them against Rochester FC.
Undermanned Loons out of U.S. Open Cup after 4-0 loss to Houston
Loons midfielder Kervin Arriaga drew his second yellow card in the 38th minute and the resulting ejection left Minnesota with 10 men for the remainder of the blowout. Corey Baird netted a hat trick for the Dynamo.
Loons midfielder Lod out 4 to 6 months; Reynoso could start training this week
Loons coach Adrian Heath wouldn't rule Lod out for the season Monday, while Emanuel Reynoso readies to participate in team training.
Rosemount throwers chase records in state's top track and field meets
Hayden Bills and Jordan Hecht are state champions with eyes on other prizes, a pursuit that continues Friday in the True Team state meet.
Weather calls the question: Should high school golf be a fall sport?
Switching seasons is a hot-button topic because of cold, wet weather that has shortened the 2023 season. But would better weather be enough to offset some of the issues the change would cause?
Woes continue for Loons in 3-0 loss at Sporting Kansas City
Saturday's shutout loss drops the Loons to 3-5-3 on the season and without a victory on six consecutive MLS games. Minnesota also is now 0-8 all time in league games at Kansas City.
Challenges loom for undefeated high school lacrosse state champs
The Lakeville South girls team takes on unbeaten Benilde-St. Margaret's on Friday. The Red Knights boys team has state tournament teams ahead.
Offseason? 5 prep hockey stars choose colleges, 3 top coaches retire
The hockey offseason news cycle slows but never stops and never puts its skates in the basement or garage until late fall. Here's what's been up since the state tournaments ended.
Five metro moments from track and field's best at the Hamline Elite Meet
Outstate involvement always marks the meet, but don't miss what some Twin Cities athletes achieved over the weekend in the annual event at Hamline.
Loons play scoreless draw; Heath addresses report about absent star
The Loons are still winless at Allianz Field. Afterward, in addition to the tie against FC Dallas, coach Adrian Heath addressed the latest failed effort to get Emanuel Reynoso to rejoin the club.
Maple Grove's Jordyn Borsch emphasizes the elite in Hamline Elite Meet
Borsch won the 100, 200 and 400 at the annual gathering of top high school athletes.
Minnesota United look to snap losing streak Sunday against FC Dallas
The Loons defeated FC Dallas 1-0 in the season opener on the road, but that was back on Feb. 25.
How Minnesota United developed a top-five MLS defense
The Loons, who are riding a three-game MLS losing streak, have allowed just eight goals in eight MLS games this season.
Minnesota United readies for U.S. Open Cup play Tuesday at Detroit City FC
The Loons are riding a three-game losing streak in MLS play and will look to rebound against a team from the United Soccer League.
Loons find familiar fate in Seattle, another loss to Sounders
Albert Rusnák's goal in the 79th minute led to more of the same for the Loons. They have now lost eight in a row in Seattle, without a victory or tie at Lumen Field in its Major League Soccer existence.
Loons face a Seattle team likely missing star Ruidíaz
The Sounders are 5-2-1 overall and 3-0-1 at home, but Raúl Ruidíaz has a hamstring injury after playing all 90 minutes Wednesday for the U.S. national team.
Minnesota United coach Heath buoyed by team's latest effort
Adrian Heath studied the video from Saturday's home loss to Orlando City and said, "I actually think that's the best we've played."
The lacrosse list: 20 metro boys and girls players you should know
Change starts on the sidelines, where both defending state champions will have new coaches. On the field, here are 10 boys and 10 girls to know about, as well as two games involving finalists in last year's state tournaments.
High school track: 10 athletes to watch, 2 meets not to miss
Two elite sprinters from 2022 are back for an encore and a college-bound soccer goalie is looking for her third state discus title. Our look at the best and fastest — and two big meets where the elites are set to compete.
Midfielder Arriaga keeps undefeated Minnesota United dancing
The Loons are 3-0-2 heading into Saturday night's game at Chicago. After some stops and starts last season, Arriaga has been healthy and productive.
Undefeated Minnesota United to face Chicago Fire squad unbeaten at home
The Fire have played three home matches, all draws. Loons newcomer Sang Bin Jeong could make his MLS debut.
Sang Bin Jeong settles in with Loons, awaiting MLS debut
The South Korean striker is with his new team, with a chance to play this Saturday at Chicago.
Calm walk to downhill fury makes Voigt Metro Girls Alpine Skier of Year
A freshman, Taylor Voigt won a state championship for herself and helped her Hill-Murray team win one. Among her goals this season were "to help my team and to have more fun than we were having in the past."
Photo finish among friends boosted Brattebo to Metro Boys Nordic Skier of Year
Benon Brattebo of Eden Prairie separated himself with a stretch at the finish line for the state championship and capped a race that started with the three top finishers making a pact based on friendship.
Wayzata yanks Class 4A boys basketball title from Park Center
The Trojans won in overtime, with guard Jackson McAndrew scoring 13 of their final 14 points.
Minnehaha Academy keeps Maple River just out of range
The Eagles cut the deficit to two, but the Redhawks held on and avenged a regular-season loss.
Two tall: Big men propel Holy Family past Eden Valley-Watkins
Boden Kapke and Collin Mulholland, each 6-11, piled up points, rebounds and blocked shots.
One big burst vaults Wayzata over White Bear Lake, into 4A semifinals
The Trojans made a 16-point run in the first half and sent the Bears into the consolation round.
Benilde-St. Margaret's shoves back, wins Class 3A championship
State tournament first-timer Stewartville rallied into the lead during the second half.
Benilde-St. Margaret's wins without Kendall McGee and for her
McGee, a sophomore point guard, was injured during the semifinals and on crutches for the final.
Three angles: Breaking down the Class 3A girls basketball championship game
It's Benilde-St. Margaret's, likely lacking key guard Kendall McGee, vs. tournament first-timer Stewartville.
No. 1 seed Becker upset by Stewartville rally in girls' 3A semis
Becker's streak of four state title games came to an end with its loss. By ending that streak with a one-point win, Stewartville will play Benilde-St. Margaret's for the 3A title.
Benilde-St. Margaret's moves past Alexandria and into Class 3A final
The Red Knights, seeded second, will play fourth seed Stewartville for the championship.
Late layup and steal boosts Stillwater past Lakeville North 67-65 in 4A
The Ponies' Amy Thompson made a layup with 11 seconds left for the winning points before a teammate sealed the game with clutch defense.
Hopkins rolls over Roseville and into 4A girls basketball semifinals
The defending state champion Royals led by 30 points at halftime. Their top two scorers had more point than the entire Roseville team in the 81-40 runaway.
The early list: 15 metro-area boys hockey players to watch for in 2023-24
Five of them played for state championships this season and will be eligible for another try.
In rare sweep, Warroad teammates win state's top boys hockey awards
The Warriors duo of Jayson Shaugabay and Hampton Slukynsky swept the senior prizes, a feat accomplished only one other time.
Minnetonka overcomes Edina, grabs Class 2A boys hockey state title
With a run through three difficult games, the Skippers secured the program's second championship.
Minnetonka's discipline, depth stops Andover to reach 2A title game
Coach Sean Goldsworthy wrote, "Discipline is going to win this game," on the board in the locker room before Friday's semifinal against defending champion Andover.
Edina rolls over Cretin-Derham Hall, into Class 2A boys hockey final
The Hornets will play for the championship in a season they began with three losses in a row.
Andover defeats Lakeville South, rolls into Class 2A semifinals
The defending champion Huskies got a hat trick from forward Gavyn Thoreson.
Top seed Minnetonka endures overtime to defeat Hill-Murray
John Stout's goal lifted the Skippers into the Class 2A boys hockey tournament semifinals.
'Showtime' nets dramatic goal for Orono to beat Northfield in overtime
Avery Anderson, known by Orono teammates as "Showtime" because of his flamboyant play, took part in a good old-fashioned greasy goal to send his team to Friday's 1A semifinals.
Warroad standouts sink St. Cloud Cathedral in 1A boys hockey quarterfinals
Cathedral stood strong for two periods before the top seed's top players got going.
Eight teams, four games, one day: Previewing Class 1A quarterfinals
Take a matchup-by-matchup look at the facts behind the squads in the Class 1A boys hockey tournament.
Arriving from Dubai: Orono's Finnegan took a desert route to state
Finnegan's father and mother served in the Army, and the family lived 10 years in the United Arab Emirates.
Old-school education: Warroad hockey shows less is indeed more
Boys hockey coach Jay Hardwick took a lesson about taking a break from practice that surprised him because it came from his own intense coach.
Wayzata's Will Ingemann: First goalie to be boys Metro Player of the Year
A three-year starter, Ingemann personified goaltending excellence. He allowed an average of less than two goals per game during his career and has aready made a D-I commitment, a rarity for a high school goalie.
Star Tribune's All-Metro hockey: Our first team and best of the rest
The first-teamers are five seniors and a junior, and all of them are lined up to play in NCAA Division I. We also have the 16 players who were selected to the second and third teams.
Minnetonka lands Class 2A's top seed in boys hockey state tournament
The Skippers have six victories against teams in the field. Warroad is the No. 1 seed in Class 1A.
Victory over Gentry Academy vaults Hill-Murray into boys hockey state tournament
The Pioneers, with a record of 14-13-1, will make their 33rd appearance at state.
Two goals in the season's first 24 seconds? Just a start for Orono hockey
After the boys hockey season got off to a blazing start, Orono coach Sean Fish and his players have a big finish in mind, too — a trip to state.
Transfer student scores section game-winner for Minnetonka to beat former school
Alex Lunski led Chanhassen in goals as a freshman. Now a junior at Minnetonka, he kept his former teammates from their ultimate goal by scoring in the second overtime to give the Skippers a 2-1 win in the Section 2AA final.
A teammate down, Chanhassen forges on in boys hockey postseason
The Storm lost Tyler Smith to a broken collarbone in the last game of the regular season. But they've battled back and will make their first trip to state if they beat Minnetonka tonight.
Edina tops Wayzata for section title after recent 7-0 loss to Trojans
Edina senior goaltender Robbie Clarkowski perfectly summarized his feelings about the seven-goal loss to Wayzata; "That one stung," he said.
Sudden player exits in Moorhead makes flexibility a strength for Spuds
A snowstorm in northwestern Minnesota is the latest test in a Moorhead Spuds season turned challenging by four players leaving. It's the opening action in our 51 Hours of Fury reports that lead up to the state tournament.
The early list: 15 top girls hockey players to watch out for in 2023-24
The upcoming senior class doesn't have the depth of this year's group, but the top players are quite good. Here are 12 skaters and three goalies whose names you'll want to know.
Edina's Uma Corniea, Andover's Ella Boerger win girls hockey awards
Corniea was selected Senior Goalie of the Year, and Boerger was chosen as Ms. Hockey.
Gentry Acad. wins 2A girls hockey by beating another higher seed
The Stars didn't wilt under their own expectations on beating Andover 4-1 for the title. Gentry Academy showed the poise of a roster with 11 seniors.
Top-seeded Minnetonka falls in overtime to Gentry Acad. in 2A semis
Fourth-seeded Gentry Academy took down a Skippers team that has eight players committed to Division I hockey program next season and was last year's runner-up.
Andover again gets the best of Edina, reaches 2A girls hockey final
The third meeting of the powers this season went as the others did: in the Huskies' favor.
Ten finalists for Mr. Hockey and three for goalie award are revealed
The winners of the awards for the state's top seniors will be revealed at a banquet March 12.
Gentry Acad. hammers Moorhead, sets up clash with No. 1 Tonka
The Spuds were making their first state tournament appearance since 2006 while the suburban charter school was in for the third straight year.
Rosemount builds on success with girls hockey state appearance
In a range of sports, the Irish are competing for championships and winning some.
No. 1 seed Minnetonka escapes with 3-2 win in Class 2A quarterfinals
A goal in the final minute by Lindzi Avar advanced the top-seeded Skippers past Centennial/Spring Lake Park in a quarterfinal round in which the other games were all lopsided shutouts.
After 70 scoreless minutes, S. St. Paul tops Fergus Falls in 1A girls hockey
Sarah Wincentsen's goal ended the final game of the Class 1A girls quarterfinals in the second overtime after Fergus Falls goalie Ana Jyrkas stopped the first 40 shots on goal by the Packers.
Warroad overwhelms Albert Lea 15-1 in girls hockey state quarterfinal
The Warriors set a tournament record with 15 goals and outshot the Tigers 67-7.
Problem for Gentry Academy: Rival schools refusing to schedule team
Some hockey coaches are expressing displeasure with the Vadnais Heights charter school by refusing to put the Stars on their regular-season schedules. "Their kids are skating when mine are in calculus," one said.
Who made All-Metro girls hockey? The top six and the rest of the list
Three of the first-team players are headed to the Gophers, and all in the top 12 who have committed are headed to NCAA Division I.
