Boys state soccer: St. Paul Academy wins second-straight shootout thriller to move within one win of Class A three-peat

Call the Spartans the shootout kings.

A week after surviving its Class A state quarterfinal via a shootout victory over St. Croix Prep, St. Paul Academy did it again Wednesday at U.S. Bank Stadium, edging Pine Island 4-3 in penalties after the two squads played to a scoreless draw through 100 minutes of action.

It’s the second straight year the Spartans have ripped out the hearts of Pine Island in downtown Minneapolis. St. Paul Academy scored three second-half goals in last year’s state final to down Pine Island, 3-2.

This year was somehow more dramatic. What else could you expect from this St. Paul Academy postseason run? Nothing has come easy for the Spartans (16-3-1) in their pursuit of a third straight state title. Every win from the start of sections has come by one tally, including a double-overtime win in the section semifinals against Hiawatha Collegiate and these last two shootout victories.

Erik Bjorgvinsson got the top-seeded Spartans on the board to open the shootout, going bottom left for a goal. Rowan McLean and Andrew Sullivan also scored for St. Paul Academy in the first three rounds. Pine Island answered each time. But drama ensued in Round 4, as both teams sailed kicks over the crossbar.

But in Round 5, Spartans senior Arlo Zirps pulled a quick trigger on his attempt and buried one in the back of the net.

Fifth-seeded Pine Island’s do-or-die attempt sailed right, and the Spartans are one win away from a three-peat. They’ll be in the Class A final at 5 p.m. Friday back at U.S. Bank Stadium.

CLASS 2A

Holy Angels 2, Orono 0: The top-seeded Stars went up 1-0 in the 37th minute on a goal from senior forward Logan Ciresi, and junior midfielder William Ferrufino added an insurance goal in the second half as Holy Angels bested fourth-seeded Orono.

Totino-Grace 2, Blake 0: The second-seeded Eagles are back in the championship bout for the first time since 2017. They’ll square off with Holy Angels in the final at 12:30 p.m. Friday after downing the third-seeded Bears.

Junior forward Siman Gelato put the Eagles on top in the 33rd minute. Truett Dollins then scored in the 78th minute to essentially put the game away with a free kick strike from 20 yards out to extend the lead to two goals.