Lakeville North junior Sydney Gelhorn hadn't scored a goal in two years when she took her turn in the Panthers' penalty kick rotation to decide the Class 2A, Section 1 final against rival Lakeville South.
The first shooter in the sixth round, the steady center back traded her nerves for calm and blasted the ball past the goalkeeper. Then she began thinking about her father, Greg, who died during the season at age 47 from ALS. One round later, the Panthers clinched their eighth consecutive state tournament appearance and Gelhorn laid bare her emotion.
"I was bawling," Gelhorn said. "I didn't even stop crying when we went up to get our medals.
"I felt like we did it for him."
Lakeville North faces No. 3 seed Stillwater in the quarterfinals Tuesday at Farmington High School, a rematch of a scoreless draw earlier this season that brings Gelhorn bittersweet memories. She played the Sept. 22 game a day after Greg's death.
"I told my coach that I needed to play because I know that's what my dad would have wanted me to do," Gelhorn said. "My dad always told me, 'You can't always be the best player but you can be the hardest worker.' I played one of the best games I ever played. Afterward, our coach named me the player of the game."
That night and every game since, the Panthers have worn green ribbons — Greg's favorite color — in their hair in tribute.
"My friends have been amazing with the way they've stepped up for me," Gelhorn said. "Being on this team is the best thing for me."
