Boys Soccer: Making more history

Jared Wolt scored the game's only goal (photo by Jim Lindquist)

Thursday night the Tigers became the first boys soccer team to host and win a Section 1AA playoff game.

Saturday afternoon third-seeded Farmington added another chapter to the school record book by advancing to the section championship game with an exciting 1-0 road win over second-seeded Lakeville North.

Jared Wolt's goal with 3:03 remaining in the first half provided the difference and left coach Julian Buss' squad a victory away from the Class AA state tournament.

Keeper Jake Agnew 19 saves (photo by Jim Lindquist)

"It was not a flawless game, but a hard-fought win," Buss said. "We knew it would be a good game going in. Wow! What a year for Farmington boys' soccer!."

The lone score of the contest came off a throw in from Ryan Parco to Blake Smith who connected om a crossing pass to Wolt. Though double-teamed the senior attacker eluded the defense and put the ball in the back of the net.

"Jared led the offense and created some great scoring opportunities," Buss said. "He took some mean shots and wound up with the game-winner."

Buss said the defense led by Hunter Meyers, Eric Stoeckman and Matt Dubois and keeper Jake Agnew (23 saves) also played a major role in the win.

"They made some impressive stops and game-saving clears," he said.

The Tiger coach also praised the work of his midfield crew of Smith, Park Robin DeCastro, Caleb Gochenour, Ben Soresnon and Cody Billins.

"They got a workout today and did a good job of winning balls and moving the ball up the field," he said. "We played 19 boys tonight and they all took care of business."

If the Tigers are to add yet another chapter to their fast-expanding history book they will have to do it again on the road. Tuesday night they travel to Owatonna to Take on the Huskies for all of the Section 1AA marbles.

When the teams met earlier in the season Owatonna scored a solid 3-0 win.

 "We look forward to the rematch," Buss said. "We feel as though we are a different team now. We are learning how to convert opportunities into goals and we have confidence in in our defense and mids to to hold them (Owatonna) down."

Defensive leader Eric Stoeckman (photo by Jim Lindquist)