SLP Orioles-Orono Spartans Football Preview

 Heading into the second half of the 2021 Minnesota high school football season, the St. Louis Park Orioles are "Hot hot hot" as they will attempt to win their fourth consecutive game against the Orono Spartans Friday night. 

Last Friday, it was a happy Homecoming for the Orioles as they beat their city rival the Benilde-St. Margaret's Red Knights 31-21.  Quarterback Will Dvorak threw two touchdown passes to Stefano Giovannelli and Deontez Ross Jr. reached the end zone twice.  He scored his first touchdown on a five yard run and ran a kickoff return 94 yards into the end zone.  

The Spartans got beat last week, falling 26-6 to the Chanhassen Storm.  Orono's lone touchdown came on a 28 yard completion from Charlie Kraus to Hunter Fox.  Aiden Mueller ran for 52 yards to lead the Spartan Rushing attack.  He ran for 242 yards and three touchdowns in Orono's lone win against the Holy Angels Stars September 10.  The Spartan defense got two sacks apiece from Nash Tichy and Charlie Brophy.  

The key to the game for the Orioles is for Ross to utilize his speed that has resulted in five touchdowns in three games and for the team of Dvorak and Giovannelli to continue their momentum.  They also have to solve the Orono defense.  

The key to the game for the Spartans is for the defense to put pressure on Dvorak and for the offense to get into a rhythm.  

Friday's weather picture looks like possible scattered thunderstorms so if you plan on going to the game, you might consider bringing an umbrella.  As usual, game time is 7 PM.  

Two One Goal Games for SLP Soccer Teams

 The St. Louis Park Oriole soccer teams closed out September on a high note as they hosted the Bloomington Kennedy Eagles with the girls coming from behind to beat Kennedy 3-2 and the boys holding off the Eagles 4-3.  

First up was the girls game and Alma Beaton made her head coach mom Anne and the fans in attendance happy by scoring the game winning goal with :39.1 in regulation time to beat the Bloomington Kennedy Eagles 3-2.  

The Eagles would score the lone goal of the first half when Isabella Lone, daughter of head coach Mario Lone, lined a shot from the 35 yard line that landed in the net.  

Kennedy would increase the margin to two in the second half.  Alex Rosales made a centering pass from the far left corner to Ruthie Gyasi and she would connect to make the score 2-0.  But the Orioles were not out of this one yet.  A shot by Amelia Beach barely crossed the goal line to cut the lead to one.  Then Alma Beaton, wearing number six, would even the score after her free kick was block and she would score on a rebound.  Would there be overtime on this warm Thursday night?  Not according to Alma Beaton.  Following a restart due to a Kennedy yellow card, Beaton lined the ball toward the goal and it went passed Eagle goalkeeper Kaysawn Carlson for the win.  

The Orioles improved their record to 4-7 and host the Armstrong Falcons on Saturday, October 2 at noon.  The Eagles fell to 7-4 and will also be in action on the 2nd, hosting the Park Center Pirates at noon.  

Now to the boys game as the red hot Orioles got two goals from Claudy Zua to lead them to a 4-3 win over the Bloomington Kennedy Eagles.  

It looked like the Eagles would cool off the Orioles in the first half with a pair of early goals.  Diego Perez would strike first followed by Geradito Ontiveros Castillo :55 later.  But the news would be good for St. Louis Park as Zua would score on a rebound and Zuca Guarin would tally :39 later to tie the game at two at halftime.  

Zua would record his second goal of the game, scoring from the center slot to put the Orioles ahead.  Shetaye would line a shot that deflected off of Eagle goalkeeper Brandon Cruz Rojas and enter the net to put St. Louis Park ahead by two.  Kennedy would get back into the game on a penalty kick goal from Santiago Singer Eman but that would be it as St. Louis Park would play strong defense.  

The Orioles won their ninth straight game to improve their record to 9-1.  They will return to action on Saturday, October 2 at 1 PM in Minneapolis against the DeLaSalle Islanders.  The Eagles fell to 5-7 and host the Cooper Hawks on Friday, October 1 at 5 PM.  

A Five Set Thriller in Chaska

 The bleachers were packed with red and maroon clad volleyball fans Tuesday night to see the battle of top ranked teams the Mayer Lutheran Crusaders in Class A and the host Southwest Christian Stars in Class AA and it turned out to be a thriller as the Stars scored four straight points in the fifth set to beat the Crusaders three sets to two.  

There were several ties in the first set as the Stars used powerful attacks to go on a 5-0 run. Southwest Christian went on a 7-2 run that also included the 2000th career assist for senior setter Ella McIntosh that resulted in a 25-20 win.  Estelle Haugen, headed for Georgia next season got the set winning kill.  

To the second set where the lead changed hands throughout.  Mayer Lutheran would even the score at 18 and Southwest Christian would regain the lead.  They would score three straight points to clinch the win, including a kill from Annika Veurink.  

Down two sets to none, the unbeaten Crusaders would bounce back in the third set as the lead went back and forth like a pendulum on a grandfather clock.  Outstanding blocking by Mehlayna Straub and and Callie Coughlin kept the Stars shining in the set.  With the score tied at 24, Mayer Lutheran scored the last two points to win 26-24.  

The Crusaders, led by the all around play of Lily Wachholz, who will be heading down I-35 to Iowa State next season took the fourth set 25-22, thus forcing a fifth set.  

And what a fifth set it was as both teams displayed excellent volleyball and was the Stars who would prevail as they put the set away 15-11.  

Both head coaches Jessy Tow-Arnett of Southwest Christian and Joelle Grimsley were interviewed prior to the start of the match.  Tow-Arnett stated the key to the Stars success.  

"They understand high level volleyball has to be fought.  Every game shouldn't be an easy win."  

Grimsley gave her reaction to the expanded state tournament from three to four classes.  

"It's a great opportunity for people.  More people to experience the state tournament."  

The Stars improved their record to 16-2 and head to Delano to face the Tigers on Thursday, Spetember 30 at 7 PM.  The Crusaders fell to 17-1 and will also be in action on the 30th as they host the Belle Plaine Tigers at 7 PM.  

A Happy Homecoming for SLP Orioles

 The bleachers were packed with mostly orange and black clad fans Friday night for the St. Louis Park Orioles Homecoming football game and they would go home happy thanks to a pair of touchdown passes from Will Dvorak to Stefano Giovannelli that led St. Louis Park to a 31-21 win over the Benilde-St. Margaret's Red Knights.  

Things got a bit sloppy in the first quarter for the Red Knights as a bad snap on a fourth down punt led to an Oriole safety.  St. Louis Park would reach the end zone on their first drive on Dvorak's 48 yard completion to Giovannelli and they would lead 9-0.  BSM would erase the zero from their portion of the scoreboard on pass from Jamarrius Courtney to Max Benning and he broke through a couple of tackles and reached the end zone to cut the Oriole lead to two.  But the combination of Dvorak and Giovannelli would strike again.  This time on a 51 yard strike and St. Louis Park led 15-7.  

It would be Deontez Ross Jr. who would account for the Orioles lone second quarter touchdown.  After catching a screen pass from Dvorak, he would score on a five yard run.  The Red Knights on third down got a 46 yard pass from Courtney to Benning and Courtney, the junior quarterback put the finishing touch on the drive with a four yard keeper touchdown with :09.1 left in the first half.  St. Louis Park led 22-14 at halftime.  

BSM would come close in the third quarter as Courtney completed his second touchdown pass of the game, a six yard completion to Zane Slater.  It wouldn't take long for St. Louis Park to reach the end zone.  On the kickoff, Ross would run like he was heading down Highway 7 94 yards for a touchdown and the Orioles would lead 29-21.  

For the second time, a bad fourth down punt snap would land the ball in the end zone for another Oriole safety.  The Red Knights would have a chance to get closer to the Orioles.  Facing fourth down and goal at the St. Louis Park 10 yard line, Courtney was unable to get the ball in the end zone.  

Ezra Hudson and Victoria Schmelzele were crowned Homecoming King and Queen at halftime.  

Looking at the stat sheet, Dvorak completed 7 of 11 passes for 170 yards and Ross had 22 carries for 84 yards for St. Louis Park.  For BSM, Courtney was 14 of 27 for 248 yards and rushed for 60 more.  Benning caught six passes for 196 yards.  

The Orioles improved their record to 3-1 and will host the Orono Spartans on Friday, October 1 at 7 PM.  The Red Knights fell to 0-4 and will host the Holy Angels Stars, also on October 1 at 7 PM.  

Previewing SLP Orioles Homecoming Football Battle of St. Louis Park

 It's The Battle of St. Louis Park to highlight Homecoming 2021 as the Oriole football team takes on the Benilde-St. Margaret's Red Knights Friday night.  

Last Friday, the Orioles won their second straight game as they head down Highway 62 to Mendota Heights and beat the Two Rivers Warriors 31-7.  Deontez Ross Jr. continued his hot offensive run for St. Louis Park running 18 times for 66 yards and a pair of touchdowns, giving him four in two games.  Quarterback Will Dvorak completed 10 of 17 passes for 133 yards and threw a touchdown pass to Brady Walsh.  The Oriole signal caller also led their rushing attack with 109 yards and a touchdown.  On the defensive side, Henry Bendickson had eight tackles.  

This season has been transitional for the Red Knights under first year head coach Sean McMenomy.  The former Mpls. Southwest head coach took over BSM after Jon Hanks retired.  They go into Week Four with a record of 0-3 that also includes defeats to the Spring Lake Park Panthers and last week, the Chaska Hawks 41-14.  The Red Knight offense was led by quarterback Jamarrius Courtney as he completed 14 of 22 passes for 154 yards and ran into the end zone twice.  Brady Wine led BSM with 12 tackles and Ryan Sever added 10.  

The key to the game for St. Louis Park is for the running game, bolstered by the return of Zeke Oppegaard from an injury to wear down the BSM defense.  The defense has to put pressure on Courtney and force turnovers.  

The key to the game for the Red Knights is establish an offense beyond Courtney.  They have to get other people involved that will put the ball in the end zone.  Where has Max Benning been in the Red Knight offense?  He scored two touchdowns in the season opener against Irondale and hasn't been heard from since.  The defense has to come up with a big play.  

The weather picture looks a bit cooler this coming Friday night with temperatures in the 60s.  Bring a jacket and get there early since it will be a large crowd for Homecoming.  Game time, as usual is 7 PM.  

SLP Orioles Sweep New Prague Trojans

 On a wet Monday night, the St. Louis Park Oriole soccer teams took the field with the girls winning their second straight game with a 1-0 win over the New Prague Trojans and the boys blasting the Trojans 5-2.  

It came early but Vesma Dennison's goal 1:38 into the game turned out to be the only goal of the game that led the St. Louis Park Orioles to a 1-0 win over the New Prague Trojans.

Dennison, one of three Oriole sophomores, lined a shot from the right side 1:38 into the first half.  The Trojans suffered a blow in the half when goalkeeper Alexis Mattern left the game due to an injury that she suffered in a collision with a St. Louis Park player.  Evie Wegner replaced Mattern in goal.  She did keep New Prague in the game with solid defense.  

The Orioles improved their record to 2-6 and return to action against the Bloomington Jefferson Jaguars on Wednesday, September 22 at 7 PM at Bloomington Stadium.  The Trojans fell to 2-5 and will also be in action on the 22nd as they host the Chaska Hawks at 7 PM.  

Last Saturday, St. Louis Park won their first game under first year head coach Anne Beaton with a 3-1 victory over the Richfield Spartans.  Prior to the start of the game, she gave her reaction to the team's inaugural win in her leadership.  

"I'm excited for the girls to get their first win and we're hoping to build on it moving forward."  

Now to the boys game as it was Senior Night, honoring 10 players in their final season in the Oriole soccer program.  Four seniors tallied a goal en route to a 5-2 win over the New Prague Trojans.  

The Trojans looked like they were on their way to an upset when Luke Fortner scored 1:07 into the game.  But the first Oriole senior to put the ball in the net was Evan Rosvold to tie the game at one.  St. Louis Park would vault ahead on Bennett Kouame's liner that landed in the net and the Orioles led 2-1 at halftime.  

Two more seniors would enter the scoring column for St. Louis Park in the second half.  First was Jovan Dennison followed by a left side shot from Nick Kent.  The only non senior to send the ball to the net was Sam Wolden.  The junior made his varsity debut and scored on a rebound.  Jacob Lee would end St. Louis Park's five goal run for the Trojans and that was all that they could manage.  

The Orioles improved their record to 5-1 and return to action on Wednesday, September 22 when they head to Bloomington Jefferson to face the Jaguars at 4:45 PM.  The Trojans fell to 1-7 and will also be in action on the 22nd, hosting the Chaska Hawks at 5 PM.   

SLP Orioles Split With Hopkins Royals

 Friday night is the usual night that high school football is in the spotlight but in St. Louis Park it was soccer that took center stage as the Orioles hosted the Hopkins Royals with the boys on top 5-2 and the girls routed 7-1.  

In the boys game, Claudy Zua's two consecutive second half goals led the St. Louis Park Orioles to a 5-2 win over the Hopkins Royals.  

The Orioles struck first on Nick Kent's shot from the far post that landed in the net.  Zua would pick up an assist on St. Louis Park's second goal as he fed Bennett Kouame and the Orioles led by two.  An Oriole own goal would put Hopkins on the board that was credited to Elijah Peterson and St. Louis Park led 2-1 at halftime.  

Zua would score his first goal of the second half after Elijah Proost's shot was blocked and Zua picked up the lost ball and sent it toward the open net.  His second goal came on a centering pass from Kouame and the Orioles lead increased to three.  Ty Perkins would end the St. Louis Park run with a right side goal.  The Oriole bench also contributed when eighth grader Tyler Puentes lined a shot from the left side and into the goal to wrap up the scoring.  

St. Louis Park won their fourth straight game to improve their record to 4-1 and hosts the New Prague Warriors on Monday, September 20 at 7 PM.  It will also be Senior Night.  Hopkins fell to 1-6 and will host the Edina Hornets on Saturday, September 18 at 3 PM.

Now to the girls game as Bryn Etzell scored two goals to help spark a five goal first half to lead the Hopkins Royals to a 7-2 rout of the St. Louis Park Orioles.  

Avery Shaw would score first to give the Royals the early lead.  The Orioles would tie the game on Alma Beaton's lined shot but Hopkins would put the game away with four unanswered goals.  Etzell would strike twice in a :35 second span.Kate Nielsen's shot would deflect off of Oriole goalkeeper Sophia Romero and into the net and Lizzie Norman would line a shot off Romero that gave Hopkins a 5-1 halftime lead.  

The Royals would add two goals to their ledger in the second half, coming from Avery Petty and Abby Hoiska.  Beaton would score her second goal of the game with 11:22 left to conclude the scoring.  

Both teams return to action on Saturday, September 18.  Hopkins improved their record to 3-1-1 and hosts the Edina Hornets at 1 PM.  St. Louis Park, looking for their first win under first year head coach Anne Beaton fell to 0-6 and heads to Richfield for a 1 PM battle with the Spartans.