Huskies to play in Section 1-AA finals

In the first round of the section tournament, the fourth-seeded Owatonna Huskies were awarded a home playoff game in which they would host the Rochester Mayo Spartans. 
In a loss and you’re out scenario, Owatonna’s Nate Smith made it clear that the Huskies weren’t ready to end their season early. 
Propelled by two Smith goals in the second half, the Owatonna Huskies defeated the Spartans 4-1 Tuesday night at the Owatonna Soccer Complex in Section 1-AA quarterfinal play. 
The win ensures the Huskies a match up with Lakeville North. Head coach Bob Waypa said that experience in the playoffs paid off. 
“You look at their roster, their starting sophomores and juniors. They’re young kids like we are, but young kids in their first playoff game is a big difference,” he said. 
The Huskies were on the offensive attack from the opening kick. In fact in the first five minutes of the game, Owatonna registered four official shots on goal, two of which were registered by Smith. However, they were unable to connect on any of them. 
It wouldn’t take long for Smith to get a third opportunity. After Alex Beaver created a turnover in the middle third, the sophomore fed a pass to Zakariya Abdi. 
Being forced to put a shot on net, Abdi’s shot curved just in front of the net, buying Smith ample time to step in and head the ball into the back of the net in the 16th minute.  
The Huskies defense was continuing the strong play that helped them win their last three home contests prior to Tuesday night. 
Led by Captain Mitchell Mayer and Beaver, the Owatonna back half didn’t surrender a shot on goal until the 27th minute.  
The Huskies took the 1-0 lead into the half, outshooting Mayo five to one. However, just a minute into the second half, the Spartans tied the game from a short strike from Captain Mohamed Muse. 
It wouldn’t take long for the Huskies’ defense to settled back in and lock down the final third.  Owatonna allowed just four shots on goal. 
The Huskies would take back the lead after Zach Kraus’ header attempt from a Daniel Keller corner kick sailed just over the outstretched hands of the goalie. From there, Nate Smith took over. The junior would net the game’s final goals in the 54th and 77th minutes, giving him a hat-trick. Afterward, Smith credited being aggressive to getting back on the scoring streak. 
“I think being in attacking mode, like past games I’ve been slowed in scoring. I’ve been trying to go more side to side and today I just went after them,” he added. 
Aside from the lone goal, it was a pretty slow night for Huskies ‘keeper Aiden Buryska. The senior allowed Mayo’s lone goal while registering three saves. 
Section 1-AA semifinals
Owatonna 2, Lakeville North 0
Goals by Dan Keller and Nate Smith proved to be enough as the Huskies down the section’s top seed 2-0. Keller registered the game-winning goal in the 12th minute off an assist from Zakariya Abdi. The Smith brothers of Nick and Nate, combined for the game’s final goal of the contest. 
The Huskies will look to break a two-year drought from the state tournament when they travel to Farmington on Tuesday.