Rosemount needs extra time to clear latest hurdle, a 2-1 victory over Minnetonka

In Rosemount's five-minute meeting before the start of overtime with Minnetonka in the Class 2A soccer quarterfinals Wednesday, the Irish as a team decided they wanted to score in under a minute.

The players were only off by 49 seconds.

Rosemount forward Alex Sirek scored on a throw-in pass from Jill Newton 1 minute, 49 seconds into extra time, giving No. 2-seeded Rosemount a 2-1 victory vs. the Skippers.

"It was unreal to see the cross come over and almost go out of bounds," Sirek said. "I saw the chance and just shot it. I remember seeing it hit the top of the net and everyone coming to just crowd me."

Sirek's goal was a product of Irish coach Gretchen Stramel's message of continued determination. Stramel's words proved vital because Rosemount (16-1-2) scored first and outshot Minnetonka (12-6-2) by a three-to-one margin, yet still needed overtime.

Minnetonka goaltender Paige Kahlmeyer kept the Skippers in the game with several saves that made fans of both teams gasp.

With no score in the game four minutes before half, Rosemount's Jasmine Finley pushed a pass inside the box. Junior Irish forward Lauren Bangh fielded it, stopped the ball with her right foot and sent a swift shot from 5 yards out to score.

Sirek's overtime goal advanced Rosemount to the state semifinals for the first time in school history.

"We preach resilience and to be resilient you are going to get knocked down and things are not going to go your way," Stramel said. "But you just have to keep fighting and the girls have shown that in numerous games."

Minneapolis Washburn 2, St. Michael-Albertville 1: Two first-half goals scored within a minute of each other was enough to push the Millers on to the semifinals next week at U.S. Bank Stadium.

With less than seven minutes left in the half, Washburn's Lydia Ruppert scored on a high-arching shot from 25 yards out. The shot got just past the outstretched arms of St. Michael-Albertville goalie Carolyn Bania.

A minute later, Kaitlyn Villars beat the Knights' defense down the field to score to give the Millers (17-1-1) a 2-0 lead heading into halftime.

After the game, Minneapolis Washburn coach Reuben Ndely spoke highly of his team's seniors.