For the first time in three regular season games, there was no overtime as a balanced scoring attack helped the host St. Louis Park Orioles beat the Richfield Spartans 4-0 Monday night.
Richfield is playing their first season in the Tri-Metro Conference after leaving the Metro West Conference.
The Orioles would get on the scoreboard as Vesna Dennison was fouled in the penalty area and was awarded a penalty kick. The eighth grader sent the ball with ease across the goal line. St. Louis Park would wrap up the first half scoring when Aliviah McClinton found an open space on the right side of Spartan goalkeeper Mikayla Brown and scored the goal with 1:02 left in the half to give the Orioles a 2-0 halftime lead.
Richfield would suffer a blow early in the second half when Mikayla Brown would leave the game due to an injury. With no backup goalkeeper listed on the roster, head coach Cory White would utilize freshman Eva Patanaude as her replacement. Patenaude would be tested as Ava Bishop lined a shot toward the net to put St. Louis Park up by three. They would conclude the scoring on Dare Kroeten's right side goal.
The Orioles improve their record to 1-0-2 and will host the Armstrong Falcons on Wednssday, August 28 at 7 PM. The Spartans fell to 1-1 and return home on Thursday, August 29 to host the New Life Academy Eagles at 5 PM.
Monday, August 26, 2019
Saturday, August 24, 2019
It's Tie Tie Again for SLP Orioles
Overtime was needed again for the host St. Louis Park Orioles Saturday as Stmley's Rachel Scufsa scored the tying goal with :37 left in regulation time and neither team tallied in the two 5:00 overtime periods that led to a 3-3 tie.
The Orioles would score the only goal of the first half as Julia Lochan found an opening on the right side of the net and she put the ball in to give them a 1-0 halftime lead.
St. Louis Park would extend the lead to two on Lola Ruff's shot that landed in the net. But the Spartans, who made the trip from Inver Grove Heights, would avert a shutout on Sydney Loomis' goal :38 later. The Orioles would get the goal back on eight grader Vesna Dennison's first varsity goal. Simley would not go away as Sydney Loomis would score her second goal of the game to cut the lead to one. Could St. Louis Park stop Simley for their first win? The answer would be no as Rachel Scufsa would score from the center slot with :37 left to go.
The game would head into overtime and the Orioles had a chance for their first win of 2019 but Anna Benishek's shot was saved by Spartan goalkeeper Abby Boughton.
St. Louis Park's record is now 0-0-2 and they will host the Richfield Spartans on Monday, August 27 at 7 PM. Simley is now 1-0-1 and they return to action on Tuesday, August 28 as they host the St. Paul Highland Park Scots at 7 PM.
The St. Louis Park boys soccer team was in action earlier that afternoon in Plymouth as they battled the Wayzata Trojans in a rematch of last year's Section 6AA final. This time, there was good news for Orioles fans when they saw Bennett Kouame score the game winning goal with :25 left in regulation time to beat the Trojans 3-2.
The Orioles would score the only goal of the first half as Julia Lochan found an opening on the right side of the net and she put the ball in to give them a 1-0 halftime lead.
St. Louis Park would extend the lead to two on Lola Ruff's shot that landed in the net. But the Spartans, who made the trip from Inver Grove Heights, would avert a shutout on Sydney Loomis' goal :38 later. The Orioles would get the goal back on eight grader Vesna Dennison's first varsity goal. Simley would not go away as Sydney Loomis would score her second goal of the game to cut the lead to one. Could St. Louis Park stop Simley for their first win? The answer would be no as Rachel Scufsa would score from the center slot with :37 left to go.
The game would head into overtime and the Orioles had a chance for their first win of 2019 but Anna Benishek's shot was saved by Spartan goalkeeper Abby Boughton.
St. Louis Park's record is now 0-0-2 and they will host the Richfield Spartans on Monday, August 27 at 7 PM. Simley is now 1-0-1 and they return to action on Tuesday, August 28 as they host the St. Paul Highland Park Scots at 7 PM.
The St. Louis Park boys soccer team was in action earlier that afternoon in Plymouth as they battled the Wayzata Trojans in a rematch of last year's Section 6AA final. This time, there was good news for Orioles fans when they saw Bennett Kouame score the game winning goal with :25 left in regulation time to beat the Trojans 3-2.
Thursday, August 22, 2019
A Tie and a Shutout Open Season for SLP Orioles
The 2019 Minnesota high school soccer season opened Thursday night with an outstanding weather picture in St. Louis Park as the host Orioles battled the Hopkins Royals with the girls tying Hopkins 2-2 and the boys starting the season on a winning note 2-0.
Alma Beaton scored two goals, including the tying goal with 1:01 left in the second overtime that sent the St. Louis Park Orioles into a 2-2 deadlock with the Hopkins Royals.
Beaton would strike first for the Orioles, scoring from the right side. Ellise Wright would tie the game at one as her line drive kick would land right into the goal and that would be the halftime score.
Neither team would erase the ones from their end of the scoreboard in the second half though both teams had a shot at the win column. Josie Fieldman of Hopkins would line a shot of the crossbar and St. Louis Park had their chance as Dare Kroeten would go against a three player diagonal Royal wall but her shot went wide to the right. No other white balls would head toward the net so there would be overtime.
After a scoreless first overtime, the Royals would take the lead in the second when Kaitlyn Raisch made a centering pass to Lizzie Norman and she would send the ball past Oriole goalkeeper Sophia Romero to take the lead. Could they sustain the lead? The answer would be no when St. Louis Park would tie the game as a ball deflected off of Beaton and rolled into the net with 1:01 to go.
Both Hopkins and St. Louis Park begin the season with an 0-0-1 record. The Royals return to action on Tuesday, August 27 as they head to Chaska for a 5 PM game against the Hawks. The Orioles are back home on Saturday, August 24, hosting the Simley Spartans in a 5 PM start.
There would be no overtime in the boys game when Nick Riley scored on a penalty kick in the first half to lead the St. Louis Park Orioles past the Hopkins Royals 2-0.
Riley would be tripped by a Royal player 1:40 into the game so he would be award a penalty kick. The Oriole senior put the ball past Royal goalkeeper Alex Quintero for the only goal of the first half.
St. Louis Park would add another goal to their ledge in the second half on Mohamed Mohamed's left side goal with 15:27 left to play. The key to the Orioles holding the lead was solid defense. Charlie McAllister of Hopkins would drive down the field like the team bus heading down Highway 169 and fired a couple of shots toward the net but sophomore goalkeeper Beau Finley played out of the net to prevent the ball from crossing the line.
The Orioles start the season 1-0 and head to Plymouth on Saturday, August 24 for a rematch of the Section 6AA title game against the Wayzata Trojans at 2 PM. The Royals fell to 0-1 and head to Chaska on Tuesday, August 27 to take on the Hawks at 7 PM.
Alma Beaton scored two goals, including the tying goal with 1:01 left in the second overtime that sent the St. Louis Park Orioles into a 2-2 deadlock with the Hopkins Royals.
Beaton would strike first for the Orioles, scoring from the right side. Ellise Wright would tie the game at one as her line drive kick would land right into the goal and that would be the halftime score.
Neither team would erase the ones from their end of the scoreboard in the second half though both teams had a shot at the win column. Josie Fieldman of Hopkins would line a shot of the crossbar and St. Louis Park had their chance as Dare Kroeten would go against a three player diagonal Royal wall but her shot went wide to the right. No other white balls would head toward the net so there would be overtime.
After a scoreless first overtime, the Royals would take the lead in the second when Kaitlyn Raisch made a centering pass to Lizzie Norman and she would send the ball past Oriole goalkeeper Sophia Romero to take the lead. Could they sustain the lead? The answer would be no when St. Louis Park would tie the game as a ball deflected off of Beaton and rolled into the net with 1:01 to go.
Both Hopkins and St. Louis Park begin the season with an 0-0-1 record. The Royals return to action on Tuesday, August 27 as they head to Chaska for a 5 PM game against the Hawks. The Orioles are back home on Saturday, August 24, hosting the Simley Spartans in a 5 PM start.
There would be no overtime in the boys game when Nick Riley scored on a penalty kick in the first half to lead the St. Louis Park Orioles past the Hopkins Royals 2-0.
Riley would be tripped by a Royal player 1:40 into the game so he would be award a penalty kick. The Oriole senior put the ball past Royal goalkeeper Alex Quintero for the only goal of the first half.
St. Louis Park would add another goal to their ledge in the second half on Mohamed Mohamed's left side goal with 15:27 left to play. The key to the Orioles holding the lead was solid defense. Charlie McAllister of Hopkins would drive down the field like the team bus heading down Highway 169 and fired a couple of shots toward the net but sophomore goalkeeper Beau Finley played out of the net to prevent the ball from crossing the line.
The Orioles start the season 1-0 and head to Plymouth on Saturday, August 24 for a rematch of the Section 6AA title game against the Wayzata Trojans at 2 PM. The Royals fell to 0-1 and head to Chaska on Tuesday, August 27 to take on the Hawks at 7 PM.
Wednesday, August 21, 2019
2019 SLP Oriole Soccer Preview
The fall sports season gets underway Thursday as the St. Louis Park soccer teams open their season at home against the Hopkins Royals. Here's a preview of the upcoming season.
When we last left the Oriole boys soccer team, their state tournament hopes were dashed on an own goal in the Section 6AA final against the Wayzata Trojans. This season, St. Louis Park will get an early rematch against Wayzata on Saturday, January 24 in Plymouth.
Many of the players from last season's team received their diploma so the Orioles will be a bit younger with seven sophomores playing for veteran head coach Chato. One sophomore will likely be the starting goalkeeper, Beau Finley. Another sophomore played last season as a freshman, Nicholas Kent, son of St. Louis Park soccer coach Benji Kent. The Orioles do have veteran senior leadership in Nick Riley, Thomas Salamzadeh, Mohamed Mohamed and Randy Mayele.
A key nonconference matchup takes place at St. Louis Park September 17 as the Orioles host perennial Class A power the Blake Bears.
On the girls side, head coach Benji Kent has a number of returning veterans including seniors Ava Bishop and Aliviah Mcclinton, who also plays lacrosse in the spring. But St. Louis Park is still a young team with nine juniors and five sophomores, including returning goalkeeper Sophia Romero.
The Orioles also have an eighth grader in Vesna Dennison, who played last year with the 13U Tonka Fusion Elite. She is also a talented gymnast. Can she bring athleticism to a team that could be on the rise in 2019?
The girls game gets underway at 5 PM, followed by the boys at 7 PM. The weather picture for Thursday is going to be fabulous so get outside and head to the stadium for the Oriole soccer home opener.
When we last left the Oriole boys soccer team, their state tournament hopes were dashed on an own goal in the Section 6AA final against the Wayzata Trojans. This season, St. Louis Park will get an early rematch against Wayzata on Saturday, January 24 in Plymouth.
Many of the players from last season's team received their diploma so the Orioles will be a bit younger with seven sophomores playing for veteran head coach Chato. One sophomore will likely be the starting goalkeeper, Beau Finley. Another sophomore played last season as a freshman, Nicholas Kent, son of St. Louis Park soccer coach Benji Kent. The Orioles do have veteran senior leadership in Nick Riley, Thomas Salamzadeh, Mohamed Mohamed and Randy Mayele.
A key nonconference matchup takes place at St. Louis Park September 17 as the Orioles host perennial Class A power the Blake Bears.
On the girls side, head coach Benji Kent has a number of returning veterans including seniors Ava Bishop and Aliviah Mcclinton, who also plays lacrosse in the spring. But St. Louis Park is still a young team with nine juniors and five sophomores, including returning goalkeeper Sophia Romero.
The Orioles also have an eighth grader in Vesna Dennison, who played last year with the 13U Tonka Fusion Elite. She is also a talented gymnast. Can she bring athleticism to a team that could be on the rise in 2019?
The girls game gets underway at 5 PM, followed by the boys at 7 PM. The weather picture for Thursday is going to be fabulous so get outside and head to the stadium for the Oriole soccer home opener.
Sunday, August 11, 2019
Fall Sports Practice Gets Underway
It's a sign that summer is winding down around Minnesota when practice begins for Minnesota high school sports on Monday, August 12.
Football, soccer, volleyball, cross country and girls tennis start preparing for the upcoming season, including at St. Louis Park. Here are the opening dates for the Orioles fall sports teams.
What team gets to open the fall season for St. Louis Park? The answer is girls tennis as they open the 2019 campaign on Wednesday, August 21 with a 10 AM home match against the Shakopee Sabers.
On Thursday, the 22nd, the boys and girls soccer teams open their season as they host the Hopkins Royals with the girls getting underway at 5 PM and the boys at 7 PM. You can also head to the St. Louis Park gym on the 22nd and see the volleyball team's season opener against the Burnsville Blaze at 7 PM.
One week later, on August 29, the Oriole football team begins their season as they host the Chaska Hawks in a 7 PM start.
And what about cross country? The Oriole boys and girls cross country teams will head down Highway 55 to run in the Rosemount Invitational.
Plenty of fall sports action to open the season at St. Louis Park prior to the Labor Day weekend. If the weather picture looks great, get outside and support the Orioles.
Football, soccer, volleyball, cross country and girls tennis start preparing for the upcoming season, including at St. Louis Park. Here are the opening dates for the Orioles fall sports teams.
What team gets to open the fall season for St. Louis Park? The answer is girls tennis as they open the 2019 campaign on Wednesday, August 21 with a 10 AM home match against the Shakopee Sabers.
On Thursday, the 22nd, the boys and girls soccer teams open their season as they host the Hopkins Royals with the girls getting underway at 5 PM and the boys at 7 PM. You can also head to the St. Louis Park gym on the 22nd and see the volleyball team's season opener against the Burnsville Blaze at 7 PM.
One week later, on August 29, the Oriole football team begins their season as they host the Chaska Hawks in a 7 PM start.
And what about cross country? The Oriole boys and girls cross country teams will head down Highway 55 to run in the Rosemount Invitational.
Plenty of fall sports action to open the season at St. Louis Park prior to the Labor Day weekend. If the weather picture looks great, get outside and support the Orioles.
Wednesday, July 31, 2019
Three Years and Still Blogging
August 1 marks the third anniversary of the Howilu Sports and Games Network's entry into the blogosphere.
HSGN was created in 2016 after the website the author wrote for on high school sports examiner.com went out of business, leaving him distraught so he decided to start his own blog that not only covered high school sports, but also game shows.
Last season, in addition to writing about games the author does the public address announcing for St. Louis Park High School and Groves Academy, HSGN got to cover the first game played at TCO Stadium on the site of the vikings training camp in Eagan between the Farmington Tigers and the Eagan Wildcats. Dave Giles, who handles the public address announcing for several Eagan High School sports as well as several state tournaments, including the Prep Bowl and boys and girls basketball was at the mike for this historic game.
HSGN was also on the scene in October for a section football game on a cold Saturday afternoon with the St. Louis Park Orioles battling the Cooper Hawks in New Hope. Two weeks later the winter sports season began with girls hockey as HSGN headed down Highway 55 to Golden Valley for an early season matchup between the Centennial Cougars and the Breck Mustangs.
State tournament coverage has been an HSGN staple since its sign on and it began in late November with two days of Prep Bowl coverage at US Bank Stadium. Girls and boys hockey would also come in February and March.
A highlight of the winter sports season was a Saturday matinee boys basketball game between the top ranked Minnehaha Academy Redhawks and the Austin Packers in south Minneapolis. The Redhawks showed that they were one of the top teams in Minnesota and with names such as Jalen Suggs and Chet Holmgren coming back, Minnehaha could be park of USA TODAY's Super 25 boys basketball teams. It will be more challenging for the Redhawks as they move up to Class AAA for the upcoming season.
A couple of spring sports highlights. Freshman pitcher Kristopher Hokenson pitched a no-hitter in his first start for the St. Louis Park Orioles. HSGN was also present for the first time at CHS Field to cover the Class AAAA semifinals and third place game. The third place game was a near no-hitter for the Stillwater Ponies Ben Borrman until the top of the seventh inning when the Rogers Royals came back to tie the game and the Ponies won it in the bottom of the seventh on Nicholas Seeman's squeeze bunt with the bases loaded. HSGN was also going to cover the Class AAA & AAAA finals at Target Field but a lengthy rain delay nixed the plans due to a late start.
Now for a brief look at what's happened over the summer. There will be new head basketball coaches at Benilde-St. Margaret's since girls head coach Bob Downs and boys head coach John Moore retired. Michael Swann will be heading the Red Knight girls program and former Litchfield High School standout Hans Hoeg will coach the boys. Also, Bryce Tesdahl, who led the East Ridge Raptors to their first state boys basketball tournament left the Woodbury school to coach the Minnetonka Skippers.
On the game show scene, ABC, still riding success with its Sunday game show lineup of Celebrity Family Feud, the $100,000 Pyramid and To Tell the Truth has another all game show night on Wednesdays that starts out with a revival of Press Your Luck, hosted by Elizabeth Banks. The new version still has the dreaded whammy but now has bigger bucks and a new bonus round where a contestant can avoided getting four whammies and try to win a million dollars. Following Press Your Luck is the return of Card Sharks, hosted by Joel McHale. Fortunately, the survey questions are back and it's a much better incarnation than the 2001 megabomb. Rounding out the evening is the return of Match Game with Alec Baldwin back as host.
As HSGN heads into its fourth year online, the future is bright. In addition to state tournaments, HSGN plans on covering football games (on nights when St. Louis Park is on the road) and trying again to cover the Breakdown Basketball Tip-Off Classic that canceled coverage due to a snowy weather picture.
Plenty of high school sports coverage coming up starting this month.
HSGN was created in 2016 after the website the author wrote for on high school sports examiner.com went out of business, leaving him distraught so he decided to start his own blog that not only covered high school sports, but also game shows.
Last season, in addition to writing about games the author does the public address announcing for St. Louis Park High School and Groves Academy, HSGN got to cover the first game played at TCO Stadium on the site of the vikings training camp in Eagan between the Farmington Tigers and the Eagan Wildcats. Dave Giles, who handles the public address announcing for several Eagan High School sports as well as several state tournaments, including the Prep Bowl and boys and girls basketball was at the mike for this historic game.
HSGN was also on the scene in October for a section football game on a cold Saturday afternoon with the St. Louis Park Orioles battling the Cooper Hawks in New Hope. Two weeks later the winter sports season began with girls hockey as HSGN headed down Highway 55 to Golden Valley for an early season matchup between the Centennial Cougars and the Breck Mustangs.
State tournament coverage has been an HSGN staple since its sign on and it began in late November with two days of Prep Bowl coverage at US Bank Stadium. Girls and boys hockey would also come in February and March.
A highlight of the winter sports season was a Saturday matinee boys basketball game between the top ranked Minnehaha Academy Redhawks and the Austin Packers in south Minneapolis. The Redhawks showed that they were one of the top teams in Minnesota and with names such as Jalen Suggs and Chet Holmgren coming back, Minnehaha could be park of USA TODAY's Super 25 boys basketball teams. It will be more challenging for the Redhawks as they move up to Class AAA for the upcoming season.
A couple of spring sports highlights. Freshman pitcher Kristopher Hokenson pitched a no-hitter in his first start for the St. Louis Park Orioles. HSGN was also present for the first time at CHS Field to cover the Class AAAA semifinals and third place game. The third place game was a near no-hitter for the Stillwater Ponies Ben Borrman until the top of the seventh inning when the Rogers Royals came back to tie the game and the Ponies won it in the bottom of the seventh on Nicholas Seeman's squeeze bunt with the bases loaded. HSGN was also going to cover the Class AAA & AAAA finals at Target Field but a lengthy rain delay nixed the plans due to a late start.
Now for a brief look at what's happened over the summer. There will be new head basketball coaches at Benilde-St. Margaret's since girls head coach Bob Downs and boys head coach John Moore retired. Michael Swann will be heading the Red Knight girls program and former Litchfield High School standout Hans Hoeg will coach the boys. Also, Bryce Tesdahl, who led the East Ridge Raptors to their first state boys basketball tournament left the Woodbury school to coach the Minnetonka Skippers.
On the game show scene, ABC, still riding success with its Sunday game show lineup of Celebrity Family Feud, the $100,000 Pyramid and To Tell the Truth has another all game show night on Wednesdays that starts out with a revival of Press Your Luck, hosted by Elizabeth Banks. The new version still has the dreaded whammy but now has bigger bucks and a new bonus round where a contestant can avoided getting four whammies and try to win a million dollars. Following Press Your Luck is the return of Card Sharks, hosted by Joel McHale. Fortunately, the survey questions are back and it's a much better incarnation than the 2001 megabomb. Rounding out the evening is the return of Match Game with Alec Baldwin back as host.
As HSGN heads into its fourth year online, the future is bright. In addition to state tournaments, HSGN plans on covering football games (on nights when St. Louis Park is on the road) and trying again to cover the Breakdown Basketball Tip-Off Classic that canceled coverage due to a snowy weather picture.
Plenty of high school sports coverage coming up starting this month.
Monday, July 8, 2019
Former Jefferson Hockey Player McDonald Killed in Helicopter Crash
The Bloomington Jefferson hockey community is in mourning.
On June 28, Tim McDoanld, who was a member of of the 1992 and 1993 state champion Jefferson boys hockey teams was killed in a helicopter crash at the Brainerd Airport. McDonald, who piloted the helicopter, was 44.
McDonald was part of a great run of Jefferson boys hockey teams that utilized team oriented play under the leadership of head coach Tom Saterdalen and his assistant John Bianchi. Other notable names included Micke Crowley, Nick Checco and Cort Lundeen. In the nets for the 1992 team were Sean Glynn and Randy Koeppl.
In the 1992 state tier I tournament, McDonald sent the Jaguars into the state championship game against the Moorhead Spuds with an unassisted goal in overtime to beat the Cloquet Lumberjacks. Jefferson would hoist the championship trophy after defeating the Spuds. Following the championship game, McDonald would be named to the Tier I All Tournament team.
McDonald would cap his senior season with two goals in the 1993 state Tier I semifinal game with a pair of goals against the Elk River Elks. The Jaguars would once again be victorious with a 4-0 shutout win over the Hill-Murray Pioneers in the title game.
After graduating from Jefferson, McDoanld would join fellow Jaguar Jon De St. Hubert at Gustavus Adolphus College. McDonald would play three seasons for the Gusties, scoring 61 goals and assisting on 63 for a total of 124 points in 97 games.
McDonald would later serve his nation as a Blackhawk pilot in the US Army. He served two combat tours in Iraq and would become a medevac pilot. He would also be the father of four children.
HSGN would like to send its condolences to the McDonald family on the passing of one of the members of a team that worked together to bring home two of three consecutive state titles to the west Bloomington school. May he rest in peace.
Blogger's Note: Research for this article comes from sources that include The Bloomington Sun-Current and gustavus.edu.
On June 28, Tim McDoanld, who was a member of of the 1992 and 1993 state champion Jefferson boys hockey teams was killed in a helicopter crash at the Brainerd Airport. McDonald, who piloted the helicopter, was 44.
McDonald was part of a great run of Jefferson boys hockey teams that utilized team oriented play under the leadership of head coach Tom Saterdalen and his assistant John Bianchi. Other notable names included Micke Crowley, Nick Checco and Cort Lundeen. In the nets for the 1992 team were Sean Glynn and Randy Koeppl.
In the 1992 state tier I tournament, McDonald sent the Jaguars into the state championship game against the Moorhead Spuds with an unassisted goal in overtime to beat the Cloquet Lumberjacks. Jefferson would hoist the championship trophy after defeating the Spuds. Following the championship game, McDonald would be named to the Tier I All Tournament team.
McDonald would cap his senior season with two goals in the 1993 state Tier I semifinal game with a pair of goals against the Elk River Elks. The Jaguars would once again be victorious with a 4-0 shutout win over the Hill-Murray Pioneers in the title game.
After graduating from Jefferson, McDoanld would join fellow Jaguar Jon De St. Hubert at Gustavus Adolphus College. McDonald would play three seasons for the Gusties, scoring 61 goals and assisting on 63 for a total of 124 points in 97 games.
McDonald would later serve his nation as a Blackhawk pilot in the US Army. He served two combat tours in Iraq and would become a medevac pilot. He would also be the father of four children.
HSGN would like to send its condolences to the McDonald family on the passing of one of the members of a team that worked together to bring home two of three consecutive state titles to the west Bloomington school. May he rest in peace.
Blogger's Note: Research for this article comes from sources that include The Bloomington Sun-Current and gustavus.edu.
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