The Minnesota Aurora clinched the Heartland Division title and a home playoff spot on Saturday, despite being idle, in the team's inaugural season in the USL W League.
Green Bay's 3-3 tie with Chicago City meant the second-place Glory, who have upcoming home games Thursday and Saturday with the Aurora (9-0-1), still was mathematically eliminated from winning the division.
The Aurora's first-round playoff game will be July 13th at TCO Stadium in Eagan. Season-ticket holders will be able to buy tickets Tuesday, the general public Friday starting at 10 a.m. on those days.
"This season has been incredible," coach Nicole Lukic said. "Because of all the amazing support from the community, we have been able to provide great conditions for our players and bring in truly gifted athletes. We are so happy to be rewarding all of our fans with at least one playoff home game."
Two track stars honored
Shaina Zinter of Concordia Academy was named the Gatorade Minnesota Girls Track & Field Player of the Year recently.
The 5-10 senior won the heptathlon at the Nike Outdoor Nationals this past season. She also was second in the 400-meter intermediate hurdles at Nike Nationals in a state-record time of 59.19 seconds, which ranked No. 3 in the country.
In the Class 1A state meet, Zinter, who has signed with Wisconsin, won the 100 and 300 hurdles and the 200, setting meet records in both hurdles events.
Sprinter Ramy Ayoub of Farmington High School was named the Gatorade Minnesota Boys Track & Field Player of the Year. Ayoub, who has signed with the Gophers, broke a meet record in winning the 400 in 47.34 seconds in the Class 3A state meet.
