DAILY GLOBE
COON RAPIDS - The Worthington U15 boys soccer team defeated North Suburban 4-1 on Sunday by using superior speed. On Tuesday, they resorted to tactics to clip Shakopee 3-0 for the right to play for a state title.
Worthington will contend Saturday in Shakopee for the 2015 championship against either La Crescent or Willmar, who compete in the other state semifinal on Thursday.
“Our defense was really on today,” said Worthington coach Kody Honius Tuesday night. “I think they only had three or four shots.”
Worthington outscored Shakopee 1-0 in the first half. Both teams scored twice in the game’s second half.
Edwin Hernandez scored Worthington’s first goal, assisted by Robert Ortiz. Kevin Gutierrez got the next one on an assist by Anthony Euceda. And the third was put in by Jon Keodouangsy, assisted by Gutierrez.
Sander Diaz tended goal for Worthington.
Honius said the Worthington boys were able to use better speed to their advantage against North Suburban, but against a speedy Shakopee team they had to reach into their bag of tricks. Worthington’s ability to pressure their opponents gave it the edge it needed.
“We really didn’t give them much time to think,” Honius said.
Chris Cerda did an exceptional job for the winners defensively from his center back position. “He was just shutting them down and not letting them get past him,” Honius said.
“At first it was kind of slow,” Honius explained about the early minutes of the first half. But Hernandez’ goal “kind of got us pumped up, and we started playing better after that.”
Worthington 1 2 - 3
Shakopee 0 0 - 0
