Owatonna Goes Toe-to-Toe with Northfield

Owatonna's boys' soccer club kept it close most of the way against Big Nine leading Northfield Thursday, but lost a 3-0 decision. The Raiders (8-0) have seven shutouts this season and have averaged about eight goals per match. In the girls' game, the Raiders rallied for two goals in the second half for a 3-3 draw.

OHS boys' coach Bob Waypa said, "I thought for most of the game we played really well. We knew going in they were as good as it gets in AA soccer...We knew defensively we had to 'be on,' offensively I thought we would probably get some chances. In the game, defensively, I thought we did a great job."

"That first goal...sometimes players make plays and that's what this kid did. We defended it the right way. He just went up higher, got a head on it." Northfield's Pascal Cogan notched his 13th goal of the season with that opening marker in the 15th minute of the first half.

About 14 minutes into the second half, Grant Roney got a good look and didn't miss, while getting his 13th goal. The Raiders closed the scoring with just under 12 minutes remaining for the 3-0 final. Northfield has four players with double-digit goal totals this season. OHS has 12 total goals for the season. Still, Waypa is hopeful that the Huskies can get another opportunity to play Northfield in the playoffs.

The OHS girls jumped out quickly versus Northfield and led 3-1 at the half. However a long injury delay after a Raider player took a ball to the face and hit her head on the ground inspired her teammates and Northfield rallied back to tie the game at 3-3.

Huskies coach Nate Gendron says overtime is not being played during the regular season this year due to COVID concerns, in order to keep the games as short as possible.

Winona is next up for the Huskies on Tuesday, September 29. The girls play at Paul Giel Field in Winona, which will be their first action on a turf field this season. The match will be heard on air. Which station is yet to be determined, based on the Minnesota Twins' playoff schedule.

The Owatonna boys will host the Winhawks, who returned to sports earlier this week after being sidelined by coronavirus numbers in their county.