Owatonna Rallies but Drops Season Opener
Owatonna boys' soccer coach Bob Waypa believes this fall's team could do some special things. But first they need to get some varsity experience. After graduating a large number of seniors from the 2018 squad, OHS dropped a 4-2 decision to a veteran Farmington team Thursday at the Lincoln Soccer Complex.
The Tigers scored off a pair of corner kicks seven minutes apart in the second half. That came shortly after Owatonna's Kaden Nelson scored following a free kick by Lane Versteeg to erase a 2-nil deficit to level the match at 2-2 early in the second half. Versteeg put the Huskies on the board with under 11 minutes to go before halftime on a free kick from about 20 yards out.
Farmington scored in the seventh minute after a misplay by the OHS goalkeeper. In the 15th minute the Tigers went up 2-0 on a long, hard drive. It appeared that the lead grew to 3-0 with 15 minutes remaining in the first half on a lob shot of a free kick. But officials ruled the ball went just over the cross bar and hit the top and back of the net. It was hard to tell while watching it.
Huskies freshman Benny Bangs had a great rush with five minutes left in the first half but was closely marked by a Tigers defender and missed wide right. Eight minutes into the second half, shortly after tying the game, Versteeg had a good look from the middle of the field about 30 yards out. His shot went high.
Another good scoring chance for the Huskies came off the left foot of Nolan Burmeister on a hard-fought effort with 15 minutes to go.
The Huskies host Lakeville North in a boys-girls doubleheader Saturday, August 24 at the Lincoln Soccer Complex. The Panthers are among the top ranked teams in the state for both the boys and girls but are not in the Huskies section this season.
Catch the High School Coaches Show Saturdays at 9 am on KRFO AM 1390 and on the KRFO app.