Panthers stunned in state semifinal
White Bear Lake ends Lakeville North girls soccer’s quest for state title
There’s a reason people yell “goal” extremely loud after scoring in soccer. It’s because sometimes they’re really hard to get.
The Lakeville North girls soccer team knows that a little too well after falling to White Bear Lake 1-0 in the Class AA semifinal Tuesday afternoon at the Metrodome in Minneapolis.
It was one of those all-too common soccer games where one team outplays the other, but the underdog comes through at the end.
After 85 minutes of play, Lakeville North had the upper hand over White Bear Lake with more shots (10-6), shots on goal (4-1), corner kicks (6-3) and more scoring chances.
“We didn’t capitalize on our opportunities,” Lakeville North head coach Bulut Ozturk said. “We had chances when we played the ball wide, but we just couldn’t pick out players.
“(White Bear Lake was) very organized and they defended really well. They won a lot of 50-50 balls. I told the girls if we lose, it’s going to be on a set piece.”
In overtime, White Bear Lake took advantage of a corner kick. The Bears’ Madison Scheer ball-faked and slid the ball to the net ending the game.
“It was a well-rehearsed set piece,” Ozturk said. “You could tell that was something they practice. It was a fabulous finish on their part.”
The Panthers’ prospects didn’t look good when senior captain and defensive star Lauren Brownrigg went down with an injury late in overtime.
At first it appeared serious, but she shook it off and tried to get back into the game. Before she could, White Bear Lake got the winning goal.
“We tried to get her back in but the ref wouldn’t allow it at the end there,” Ozturk said. “It definitely hurt not having her in there.”
The loss sent Lakeville North to the third-place game against Blaine at 8 a.m. Thursday.
