High Schools
East Ridge’s Elle Wildman passed to Reese Tovar for a dramatic goal and a spot in the semifinals at U.S. Bank Stadium.
By Cassidy Hettesheimer
Elle Wildman isn’t a stranger to late-game theatrics.
Two summers ago, the current East Ridge senior was the youngest player trapped on a 14-hour bus ride with some of the Midwest’s top college soccer talents. Among them: Khyah Harper, Minnesota’s NCAA-leading goal scorer, and others player with years of Division I soccer under their belts.
Despite her young age, Wildman started when her Salvo SC Women’s Premier Soccer League team finally made it to Oklahoma for its league semifinal. In the 130-team preprofessional summer league with plenty of pro alumni, Wildman’s Eagan-based team finished second, after a 1-0 championship loss to Charlotte.
It was a heartbreaker. The Charlotte Eagles scored in the 94th minute.
This time, in East Ridge’s Class 3A girls soccer state quarterfinal against Maple Grove on Tuesday at White Bear Lake, that experience helped Wildman make sure any last-minute goals went in the Raptors’ favor. One did, with nine seconds to play, and it gave East Ridge a 1-0 victory.
“There were so many leaders on that team, and they kind of took me under their wing,” Wildman said. “Playing with them and competing with them definitely helped my game.”
Seconds remained Tuesday when Wildman turned with the ball, 30 yards from goal at the right touchline. She delivered an arcing ball to forward Reese Tovar, who streaked into the 18-yard box to finish her 11th goal of the season.
“[Tovar] normally runs far post,” said Wildman, committed to Iowa for college. “I saw her and knew she could finish it and hoped she could get there. And she did, like she usually does.”
The No. 2-seeded Raptors (15-1-2) head to the state semifinals in their first tournament trip since 2017, third overall.
Wildman, with 18 goals and 11 assists, has been an offensive spark and leader for the Raptors, which had to defeat top-ranked 3A team White Bear Lake in the Section 4 championship.
At the team’s tryouts, when Wildman finished her 2-mile run, she was the first to go back on the trail to high-five teammates, recounted head coach Latcho Kostadinov. That energy, along with high-level summer soccer experience, has helped East Ridge book a ticket to U.S. Bank Stadium.
High Schools
High Schools
High Schools
“We only have them for 2½ months,” Kostadinov said, pointing to Wildman’s ability to move the ball forward. “[Wildman] just knows where her teammates are.”
The Maple Grove defense, led by All-State center back Hallie Khieu, dealt with injuries and second-half pressure from the Raptors. But East Ridge escaped without needing overtime, with Tovar subbed on just minutes before her game-winning goal. Kostadinov hadn’t planned to put Tovar back on, but an East Ridge yellow card forced the substitution.
On the other side of the field, senior goalkeeper Isabel Oferosky directed a back line that conceded only six goals in one of the state’s tougher schedules, with help from All-State senior defender Claire Williams and junior midfielder Alivia Penman.
“Our [defense’s] chemistry has been amazing,” Oferosky said. “Just communicating with everybody on the field and moving up as a team.”
East Ridge will face the winner of No. 3 Edina and unseeded Duluth East on Wednesday at Spring Lake Park.
In the other Class 3A girls quarterfinal games Tuesday:
Eagan 3, Lakeville North 1: Sophomore Tess Triplett and senior Ava Ligtenberg scored one minute apart in the second half, breaking open a tight game as the No. 7-ranked Wildcats (16-3-1) knocked off the Panthers (13-3-3). Ligtenberg also set up senior Josie Seehafer’s first-half goal. It was the 11th consecutive win for Eagan. The two teams played to a 2-2 tie during the regular season.
Wayzata 5, St. Michael-Albertville 1: Sophomore Lauren Craig scored twice and senior Tenley Senden had one goal and one assist, leading the No. 2-ranked Trojans (17-1-1) past the Knights (14-5-1). Wayzata won the regular season meeting 4-2.
Holy Angels 5, Byron 0: Junior Audrina Hess scored two second-half goals, both set up by senior Cora Kmiec, as the No. 1-ranked Stars (19-1-0) shut out the Bears (13-3-2). Seniors Eileen Braun, Aleisha Cortez and Maya Gonzales also scored for Holy Angels.
Andover 3, Minnetonka 2: Junior Grady Monette scored back-to-back goals in the first half, breaking a 1-1 deadlock and the Huskies (11-3-3) held on to upset the No. 3-ranked Skippers (16-2-1). Sophomore Collison Acquoi opened the scoring for Andover. Seniors Hudson Benites and Colin Mascolo scored for Minnetonka, which was on a 12-game winning streak.
Cassidy Hettesheimer is preps sports reporter at The Star Tribune.
Elle Wildman passed to Reese Tovar for a dramatic goal and a spot in the semifinals at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Quarterback Matthew Welter ran for a score in overtime after Sam Summer kicked two field goals in the third quarter. Awaiting is defending Class 5A champ Chanhassen.
Star Tribune reporters Jim Paulsen and David La Vaque pick the biggest matchups of the opening round of high school football playoffs beginning Tuesday.
Elle Wildman passed to Reese Tovar for a dramatic goal and a spot in the semifinals at U.S. Bank Stadium.
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