Trojans to tangle with Eagles for berth at state Class AA boys soccer

The fourth-seeded Worthington Trojans boys soccer team will aim to qualify for state for the fourth time in five seasons when they face the No. 3 New UIm Eagles for the Section 2AA Tournament championship Tuesday night in New Prague. The match is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. start.

The Trojans have a record of 13-4-1 on the season and earned their spot in the sectional final with a 3-2 home win over fifth-seeded Marshall on Oct. 7 and a 4-3 overtime victory at top-seeded Mankato East two days later. Worthington trailed 3-0 late in the first half of its match against the Cougars but stormed back thanks to suffocating defense as well as a pair of goals by Elder Lopez, one goal from Andy Guzman and the game-winner by Saul Galvez in OT.

New Ulm, which enters Tuesday's match with a season record of 14-2-2, has also come out on top in a pair of post-season nailbiters.

In their quarterfinal match against No. 6-seed Mankato West, the teams played to a scoreless tie through 80 minutes of regulation and a 10-minute overtime period. Then, just 24 seconds into the second OT, Methodious Amoah booted home the game-winner for a 1-0 Eagle triumph.

Then, in the semifinals, New Ulm rallied to edge No. 2 Westonka 3-2, overcoming a two-goal deficit and a one-hour lightning delay. Logan Goblirsch and Josh Shaneman scored the first two goals for the Eagles — both coming in the second half — and Daniel Brownfield netted the winner with 3:10 remaining in regulation.

In their only previous meeting this season, New UIm blanked WHS 1-0 at Trojan Field on Sept. 16. The lone goal was scored by John Hoffman on an assist from Shaneman with 17:12 remaining in the second half.

Catch Tuesday night's sectional final match on 104.3 La Voz.

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The Adrian-Ellsworth Dragons volleyball team finished off their regular season in winning form Monday night by blanking visiting Edgerton 3-0 in Adrian. Game scores were 25-19, 25-17, 25-20.

A-E, now 16-8 on the fall, fell behind 8-4 in the opening game, but rallied quickly thanks in part to some strong right-side play by junior hitter Audrina Tiesler and a good serving run from senior Mersaydes Marten. The Dragons eventually moved ahead 20-15 and, after Edgerton trimmed the deficit to 22-19,  scored the game's final three points.

The Flying Dutchmen jumped out to a 6-1 advantage in game two, but the Dragons recovered once again. Edgerton called a timeout upon trailing 17-14, but A-E was undeterred and closed things out shortly thereafter.

In game three, the Dragons waited until later to come from behind. They were down 18-13, but stormed back to first knot the score on an ace serve by senior Sophie Wieneke and then eventually finish off the match.

Tiesler and Brylee Zebe each finished with eight kills for A-E. Edgerton ended its regular season at 5-18.

The Worthington Trojans volleyball team, meanwhile, will play their home finale Tuesday night against Mankato East. They'll then conclude their regular season Thursday at Southwest Minnesota Christian.

In other area high school volleyball Monday:

Russell-Tyler-Ruthton 3, Heron Lake-Okabena/Fulda 0

Windom 3, Springfield 0

Martin County West, 3, Sleepy Eye 1

Mountain Lake Area-Comfrey 3, Hills-Beaver Creek 2

Murray County Central 3, Red Rock Central 1

Westbrook-Walnut Grove 3, Southwest Minnesota Christian 2