Boys Soccer coming together as headed to sections

Aidan Ebner, Writer

With the leaves falling, many fall sports’ regular season is coming to a close, including the Owatonna Boys Soccer team. They ended their regular season Thursday, Oct. 8,  with a 4-0 win at Austin. The seniors had their last regular season home game Tuesday, Oct. 6, and ended with a 7-0 win against Red Wing. With these last two games under their belt, it looks like the boys are headed into post-season full steam ahead. Owatonna (11-2-2) dominated the regular season, boosting their hopes for the post-season. Junior captain Mitchell Mayer said, “One of our biggest accomplishments this season was coming together defensively and only allowing 7 goals in conference play.” This goes to show the explosiveness and defensive mastery this group of boys brings to the field.

This team knows all too well what is needed in section play. Head coach Bob Waypa said, “At this time of the year, it’s the little things that can make or break your playoff run.”  With a devastating section championship loss last season, the returning players hope to achieve what they couldn’t last season . Coach Waypa said, “Over half the team was on the team last year when we lost to Rochester [John Marshall] in the section championship game.”  With high hopes of duplicating last years playoff run, the boys have to focus on each game. It should be fun to watch this competitive team play at sections. Mayer said, “We need to make sure we don’t come into sections thinking we already have this won because one mistake, and our season could be over.”

Owatonna starts section play Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 7 p.m. at home. They will host the Rochester Century Panthers. Come support the team as they start their 2015 playoff campaign.