SHAKOPEE — Heroes are born in many circumstances.
In this case, it was Mankato East junior Grace Campbell, who netted the game-winning goal in overtime to claim a 2-1 state quarterfinal win over Byron Tuesday at Shakopee’s Vaughan Field.
“It was so fun. I just love our team,” Campbell said. “It’s fun to celebrate with everyone and see them all happy.”
The Cougars advance to the state semifinal round for the second-consecutive season where they’ll face top-seeded Mahtomedi Oct. 29 at U.S. Bank Stadium.
“I told the girls at halftime and before the game that this was fun. This is the time,” Cougars coach Miranda Rauenhorst said. “Now we’re going to have some more fun in the Bank and make more memories.”
Tuesday’s quarterfinal matchup was different from last week’s sectional championship win over St. Peter, which featured rain throughout the game. This time everything was dry, but wind chills below freezing were this week’s element to battle.
After 40 minutes of battle, the Cougars and Bears were dead even. And through eight minutes of overtime everything was even. Until sophomore phenom Laina Peterson threaded a pass to Campbell.
Campbell knew she had no choice but to win the battle for the free ball. She fired a kick despite being on her back. Byron goalkeeper Candace Loughran, who was stopping everything in the vicinity up to this point, couldn’t get to the ball as it gently crept closer and closer to the net.
The East faithful began to erupt. The Byron faithful began burying their heads in disbelief. Those who planned poorly couldn’t move from the cold.
With 1:55 remaining in overtime Campbell netted the game-winning goal to send the Cougars back to U.S. Bank.
“I saw (the shot go) on net,” Campbell said. “I heard people screaming. It was amazing.”
After fending off the Bears early push the ball wound up in the feet of the one person Byron dreaded. It was Peterson.
After receiving a flawless pass inside the box Peterson beat Loughran on the far left side for a goal. Less than eight minutes into the action the Cougars fended off the Bears’ first big push and claimed a 1-0 lead.
“Our backline had to play a full game. We haven’t had that much pressure all season,” Rauenhorst said. “It was a good run for them. The backline is going to be sore tomorrow. They pushed through. They’re resilient and they got it done.”
Byron needed 20 minutes, but it responded before halftime. A deep shot landed out of the hands of Eva Starkey. Byron’s Leah Ellavsky used a header to score with 12:12 to go until intermission to force a 1-1 tie.