Trojan boys advance to Section 2AA soccer semis with 2-1 triumph

The top-seeded Worthington Trojans' boys soccer team survived a tense battle with eighth-seeded Jordan Tuesday night as a late second-half goal gave WHS a 2-1 victory in a Section 2AA quarterfinal match.

Worthington dominated the proceedings at times, but the Hubmen hung tough all night long. 

The Trojans came out of the chute aggressively to start the match, as they dominated play for many of the early minutes with attacks from both sides of the field.  Finally, with 21:52 remaining before the break, the Trojans' perseverance was rewarded when Erick Lopez tracked down a loose ball following an Eddy Chavez shot and put his kick past Hubmen goalkeeper Braxton Roberts for a 1-0 WHS edge.

With 14:30 remaining in the second half, Jordan got the equalizer. Roberts launched a free kick from approximately 40 yards out, and a Jordan player was able to follow the play and tie things up.

It was Jayden Luevanos who came up with the game-winner with exactly five minutes remaining when he and teammate Roelme Gonzales teamed up on passing that resulted in Luevanos getting a one-and-one opportunity that he didn't miss.

The Trojans, who are now 14-3-1 overall this season, will now host a Section 2AA semifinal match at 7 p.m. Thursday against fourth-seeded New Ulm. The Eagles knocked off Hutchinson/Glencoe- Silver Lake 9-4 on Tuesday.

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The St. Peter Saints came into the Trojan gymnasium Tuesday night and won their high school volleyball match against Worthington 3-1. Game scores were 26-24, 27-29, 26-24, 25-19.

The Trojans, who are now 14-13 overall and 2-4 in Big South play, were led offensively by Talia Nasers' 20 kills and Natalia Martinez's 17. Kamryn Olson had a team-high 29 digs and Mackenzie Platt 19.

In the serving department, Mara Thier was 14-for-14 with two aces; Kamryn Olson was 20-for-20 with one ace and Rylee Olson also had an ace. Mia McNab and Rylee Olson combined for 43 set assists. Thier topped WHS in blocks with two.

The Trojans are now idle until next Tuesday, when they play at Mankato East.

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In area high school volleyball Tuesday night, Adrian-Ellsworth went on the road to Edgerton and won 3-0 by game scores of 25-13, 25-16, 25-10. Jackson County Central — the state's fifth-ranked team in Class 2A — was victorious 3-0 at Pipestone Area by scores of 25-17, 25-17, 25-20. Visiting Russell-Tyler-Ruthton topped Heron Lake-Okabena/Fulda 3-0 by scores of 25-11, 25-10, 25-21.

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In other area high school volleyball Tuesday night, it was:

Hills-Beaver Creek 3, Mountain Lake Area-Comfrey 0

Murray County Central 3, Red Rock Central 0

Martin County West 3, Sleepy Eye 0

Westbrook-Walnut Grove 3, Southwest Minnesota Christian 1

Redwood Valley 3, Windom 0

Tracy-Milroy-Balaton 3, Lakeview 1

Fairmont 3, Luverne 1

In area high school volleyball Monday night:

Marshall 3, Jackson County Central 0

Martin County West 3, Blue Earth 0

Pipestone Area 3, Edgerton 1

Springfield 3, Mountain Lake Area-Comfrey 2