The Worthington Trojans broke open a close match by scoring four straight goals in the second half and went on to beat visiting New Ulm 6-1 in a first-round match in the Section 2AA Boys Soccer Tournament.
The Trojans grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first half following an ankle injury to Alan Flores, who was transported to the hospital via ambulance. A little more than one minute after the injury, Christian Martinez scored on a header following a crossing pass from Charles Saydee for a 1-0 WHS lead at 27:48. Saydee picked up another assist on the second Trojan goal, passing to Bayron Echeverria for a score with 13:51 left before halftime.
New Ulm made it a 2-1 goal about five minutes into the second half on a Brennan Shaver goal that came after a Worthington turnover. The Trojans, though, quickly rebounded, as Saydee put in a high shot from about 30 yards out to make it 3-1 with 32:51 left in the second half. Saydee then scored on a header with 24:43 to go to make it 4-1, and Kaine Vela added a goal following a beautiful cross-field pass from Echeverria for a 5-1 edge at 15:03. Echeverria added his second goal with 13:40 remaining, with an assist going to Santos Orellana.
WHS, which saw Osmin Pineda return at goalkeeper in the second half following a knee injury, is now 15-2 overall. The Trojans will host No. 4 Mankato East in a sectional semifinal matchup at 7 p.m. Thursday.
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In girls soccer, the Worthington Trojans’ season came to end as they lost to top-seeded and unbeaten Mankato East, 14-0.
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The Worthington boys cross country team edged Luverne Tuesday to win the Adrian-Ellsworth Dragons Invitational. The Trojans had 54 points, while Luverne had 61.
Owen Janiszeski of the Cardinals finished first among individuals with a time of 17:04.20. Fanuel Wolday of the Trojans was second at 17:24.88, and Worthington’s Mikele Walu was third at 17:31.94. Among other Trojan runners, Filmon Wolday was 11th, Austin Kinser 17th and Asrat Bonnety 21st.
Murray County Central won the girls team competition Tuesday with 34 points, and Luverne took second with 56. Worthington was a distant 10th.
The Rebels’ Amanda Overgaauw and Ashley Overgauw took first and second, respectively, among individuals; Amanda’s winning time was 18:38.39. Kenadie Thiner was 51st to top the Trojans; Madison Sieve was 56th.
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In high school volleyball, the Trojans traveled to Jackson County Central and were defeated by the Huskies 3-0. Game scores were 25-16, 25-21, 25-22.
Ellie Weg had 11 kills, seven digs, four blocks and an ace serve for WHS. Tarren Spartz added 10 kills, 12 digs and three ace serves. Addison Gerber passed for 18 set assists while chipping in with two ace serves and two blocks. Jayden Spartz had three blocks for the Trojans; Regean Schafer had seven digs.
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In high school girls volleyball action Tuesday, it was:
Westbrook-Walnut Grove 3, Murray County Central 0
Southwest Minnesota Christian 3, Mountain Lake Area-Comfrey 1
Adrian-Ellsworth 3, Red Rock Central 0
Heron Lake-Okabena/Fulda 3, Hills-Beaver Creek 0
Tracy-Milroy-Balaton 3, Yellow Medicine East 0
St. Peter 3, Fairmont 0
Marshall 3, Redwood Valley 0
Sheldon 3, West Lyon 0
Central Lyon 3, George-Little Rock 1
MOC Floyd Valley 3, Okoboji 0
Boyden Hull 3, Sibley-Ocheyedan 0
Spirit Lake 3, Storm Lake 0
