Southwest Minnesota Christian snaps WHS boys soccer win streak

Southwest Minnesota Christian put an end to the Worthington boys soccer team’s 11-match winning streak on Tuesday as the Eagles blanked the visiting Trojans 2-0 in Edgerton.

Graham Musley broke through the middle of the WHS defense to put the Eagles up 1-0 with about 11 minutes left before halftime. Southwest Minnesota Christian maintained that lead into intermission by utilizing their speed. The Trojans also struggled with ball movement and losing possessions quickly.

WHS continued to fail to mount serious attacking threats in the second half, and the Eagles’ Parker Fey scores on a penalty kick with a minute and a half left to ice the match.

The Trojans will play on the road Thursday night in the Big South Conference championship match. Worthington is the Gold Division champ; Black Division winner Tri-City United has hosting honors.

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In girls soccer, host Worthington and Mankato Loyola played to a scoreless tie through the first 40 minutes, but the Crusaders tallied a pair of quick goals early in the second half and added one more with a minute and a half left Tuesday to beat WHS 3-0 on Meet the Trojans Night.

Worthington also played at home Monday night and led 1-0 at the half on a goal by Madelyn Polz. Austin, though, came back with four goals after the break to defeat the Trojans 4-1.

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Minnesota West freshman libero Kyrie Matucha has been selected as the MCAC South Division Defensive Athlete of the Week for the week of Sept. 28-Oct. 4. It’s the second time this season that Matucha has earned this honor.

Matucha, who’s from Burke, S.D., totaled 76 digs across 12 sets last week, averaging 6.33 digs per set while also contributing 12 assists and three service aces. She helped the sixth-ranked Lady Jays go 3-0 as they defeated Ridgewater 3-1, Riverland 3-0 and Western Technical College 3-2.  The MCAC announcement of Matucha’s recognition added that her “consistency on defense and serve receive was a major factor in the wins this week.”

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The Worthington Trojans volleyball team lost game one Monday night to visiting Pipestone Area but regrouped and went on to post a 3-1 victory. Game scores were 17-25, 25-16, 26-24, 25-16.

The Trojans, now 12-9 overall on the fall, were led offensively by Natalia Martinez’s 10 kills. Mara Thier, Kinley Riemersma and Ava Schutz chipped in with six kills apiece and Kaitlyn Mulder had five.

In serving, Schutz went 10-for-12 with a pair of aces, while Rylee Olson was 20-for21 and Kamryn Olson was 17-for-18. Rylee Olson led the way in set assists with 22; Kamryn Olson topped WHS digs with 11 and Macie Mahlberg had nine.

Worthington next plays Friday and Saturday at the Jimmy John’s Classic in Marshall.

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In area high school volleyball Tuesday:

Adrian-Ellsworth 3, Mountain Lake Area-Comfrey 1

Heron Lake-Okabena/Fulda 3, Edgerton 1

Jackson County Central 3, Fairmont 0

Windom 3, St. James Area 2

Russell-Tyler-Ruthton 3, Murray County Central 0

Luverne 3, Blue Earth 0

Martin County West 3, Nicolett 2

Southwest Minnesota Christian 3, Hills-Beaver Creek 0

Tracy-Milroy-Balaton 3, Yellow Medicine East 0

Westbrook-Walnut Grove 3, Red Rock Central 0

Redwood Valley 3, Pipestone Area 0

Marshall 3, Tri-City United 0

Central Lyon 3, Sheldon 0

Western Christian 3, Boyden-Hull 0

Spirit Lake 3, Rock Valley 1

Estherville Lincoln Central 3, Unity Christian 0

Okoboji 3, West Lyon 1

Akron-Westfield 3, George-Little Rock 1

MMCRU 3, Sibley-Ocheyedan 0

South O'Brien 3, Trinity Christian 0

In area high school volleyball Monday:

Marshall 3, Willmar 0