Edina controlled play from the opening kickoff Wednesday to defeat Centennial 4-0 in the quarterfinals of the Class 3A girls' soccer state tournament at White Bear Lake High School.
Izzy Engle scored three goals in the first half for the fifth-seeded Hornets (15-4-1). Her first goal came 2 minutes, 42 seconds into the game. It took her just 6:09 to get goal No. 2. She completed the hat trick with 5:35 left in the first half. She scored again with 35:53 to play, with a shot off the far post on the goalkeeper's right.
"It's the best feeling. We feel on top of the world right now," Engle said. "We have so much momentum and we cannot be more excited."
The Cougars (14-3) didn't threaten to score until the Hornets were called for a hand ball in the box with 12:15 left in the first half. Junior Marisa Frost took the penalty kick, but her low shot just inside the post was deflected wide of the goal by Hornets goalkeeper Sydney Bakritzes.
"That was huge," Engle said. "I know we were winning 3-0, but one goal for them makes it a two-goal game. We all know two-goal games are never safe. It was really important for her to save that."
Isabella Walker had two assists for the Hornets, who are back at state a year after their undefeated season ended with an upset loss to Stillwater in the state semifinals.
The fourth-seeded Cougars had just the one scoring chance in the first half and only a couple of other opportunities, late in the game. All-state forward Addi Van Zee was neutralized.
"Our defense was incredible," Edina coach Katie Aafedt said. "Their best player is their all-state forward. You can tell she is really good. Our defense did an incredible job shutting her down and not allowing them to get going."
