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Siri Pattison

DEFENSE. Minnehaha moves the ball down the field as SPA attempts to quickly reconfigure and defend.

On Wednesday, girls varsity soccer triumphed over Minnehaha Academy with a resounding 3-2 victory in a thrilling and intense match. The match was the section finals on the road to the state tournament and was held at St. Thomas Academy.

The first half brought intense moments, with Minnehaha initially dominating with four shots on goal. However, SPA quickly turned the tide when junior Sawyer Danielson executed a breakaway, sending a shot to the left corner and securing a 1-0 lead for the Spartans. In a last-minute twist, Minnehaha leveled the score with a free kick that found the left-hand side of the goal, and they celebrated extensively. Yet, Danielson wasted no time, launching another attack that, while initially saved, slipped through the goalie’s grasp, setting up an easy tap-in for sophomore Clare Ryan Bradley. The Spartans concluded the first half with a 2-1 lead, boasting two shots on goal and three corner kicks, while Minnehaha managed seven shots on goal and seven corner kicks.

The second half unraveled with a rollercoaster of emotions. Within the first 15 minutes, Minnehaha capitalized on a free kick with a top-left shot, tying the game 2-2. However, a turning point occurred as a red card was issued to a Minnehaha player for disputing a referee’s decision, leaving only ten players for the rest of the match. With 10 minutes remaining, a shot from sophomore Elizabeth Tuttle found the bottom left corner of the goal, propelling the Spartans to a 3-2 lead. As the clock wound down, the Spartans secured their victory, showcasing a significant disparity in shots on goal and corner kicks. SPA logged six shots on goal and five corner kicks, while Minnehaha managed eight shots on goal and seven corner kicks.

The girls’ next game will be in the state tournament, which begins Oct. 24.