Farmington Knocks Out Owatonna Boys Soccer in Shootout

After regulation and two overtimes went by without a goal, Owatonna and Farmington went into a shootout to decide their Section 1AA boys soccer playoff match Tuesday night. The Tigers beat the Huskies 4-2 in penalty kicks to win the game 1-0, knocking out the defending section champs. Owatonna had won last year's section title game in overtime on the same field at Farmington.

The Tigers shot first in the five-round shootout. Juan Maya and Zach Kraus each answered goals by their opponents. Farmington connected on their third shot and Owatonna sent out all-time leading scorer Nate Smith, whose shot was blocked. FHS converted on their fourth round for a 4-2 lead. Owatonna's Seth Bungum had his shot blocked and that clinched the match for the Tigers.

Farmington nearly ended the game early in the second overtime Tuesday night when they hit the crossbar in the opening minute. FHS also drilled the crossbar with about two minutes remaining. Owatonna had a couple of nice threats around the midway point of the overtime.

The first overtime started with an Owatonna shot that sailed high. Farmington countered with a couple of shots right afterward and had a great scoring chance with 5:30 left that got blocked in traffic in front of the Owatonna net.

Farmington had multiple shots early in the game, including a laser of a shot from just outside the box about 13 minutes into the first half that Owatonna goalkeeper Tyler Akemann stopped. Owatonna had several good rushes in the first half but missed connecting on some crossing passes.

Early in the second half, the Tigers put a deflection on net and followed up with a point blank chance that Akemann saved. The Huskies Nick Smith put the ball into the net 5:30 into the second half but was ruled offside. Several minutes later OHS had another great chance on a centering pass from Bungum. Farmington nearly had a breakaway with 14 minutes left but the ball rolled too far in front of the player. The Tigers sent a blistering shot inches wide a couple of minutes after that.

Owatonna ended their season at 8-7-2. Seniors on the team include Akemann, Josh Nelson, Bungum, Smith, Spencer Glynn, Maya, Smith, Kraus, Ryley Glynn, Matias Chavez, Brandon Guenther, Eric Dufrene and Jacob Bangs. The Huskies are coached by Bob Waypa, Brad Williams, Harold Schlichter and John Thompson.