Saturday, October 8, 2022

Minneapolis Washburn Millers and SLP Orioles Split Regular Season Finale

One goal was enough to decide the regular season soccer finales Saturday afternoon for both the Minneapolis Washburn Millers and the host St. Louis Park Orioles with the Millers winning the girls game and the Orioles coming though in the second overtime in the boys game.  

Though the first game was played in a chilly environment, the Washburn Miller offense heated up early as Sydney Ruckett fired a rocket shot into the net in the first half to lead them to a 1-0 win over the St. Louis Park Orioles.  

Rockett got into position on the right side of the Oriole net and fired a shot from the 15 yard line that landed in the goal.  The Washburn sophomore almost scored her second goal when she was awarded a free kick.  She would go up against a three player St. Louis Park wall, set the ball aloft with her right foot and the Orioles Vesna Dennison made the block.  

The Millers ended their regular season with a record of 10-5 and the Orioles finished with a record of 3-10-1.  Section 6AAA play gets underway Thursday, October 13.  

Heading into the boys game, the weather picture was getting warmer and it looked like the regular season would end in a scoreless tie.  But wait.  The St. Louis Park Orioles would count their blessings of finishing the regular season on a winning note, thanks to Bjorn Bleske's game winning goal with :28.5 left in overtime to lead the St. Louis Park Orioles to a 1-0 win over the Minneapolis Washburn Millers.  

There would be no scoring in the first half but it looked like the Orioles would win the game in regulation time as Abdi Abdullahi had an open net ahead but his shot was blocked by Miller goalkeeper.  Grayson Pickar.  On to a pair of five minute, non sudden death overtimes.  

The time would tick away in the overtime periods and it looked like neither team would send the ball over the goal line.  That wouldn't be the case as Bleske lined a shot from the center slot and landed past Pickar with :28.5 left in the second overtime. 

The Orioles ended their regular season with a record of 5-4-4 and open Section 6AAA tournament competition Thursday, October 13.  The Millers fell to 9-5 and will host the annual Twin City game against the St. Paul Central Minutemen on Monday, October 10 at 5 PM.  

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