SPRING LAKE PARK — The bounces were going to play a big role early.
When the Mankato East boys soccer team started its Class AA quarterfinal just after 7:30 p.m. Thursday, the rain had already been falling hard for several hours and seemed to be getting worse.
“We haven’t played in one adverse-condition game the entire year,” East coach Jerrad Aspelund said. “We just didn’t play well tonight.”
Orono came out hot and the bounces didn’t go the Cougars’ way, as they surrendered three first-half goals in a 5-0 loss to the Spartans at Spring Lake Park High School.
Orono scored in the 26th, 29th and 35th minute amid the heavy rain.
East’s Jhoel Dillon nearly connected with Salman Ali on a few long, high balls during the first half, but the Orono goalkeeper played each of them perfectly, barely beating Ali to the ball each time.
After the Cougars surrendered the first goal, East had a pair of chances around the net but couldn’t score.
“I think if one of those goes in, it’s a different ballgame,” Aspelund said.
The rain stopped in the second half and the Cougars played better. But Aspelund credited Orono, which he felt played an excellent defensive game.
East defender Griffin Asher remembers playing in a club game equally as rainy a few years back, but acknowledged it was a tough adjustment, especially playing from behind.
“The touch on the ball was the big problem,” Asher said. “It was hard not playing in it before. …
“We didn’t play our best game and that’s what it came down to.”
For the Cougars, it was their first trip to state since 2012 after last season finished with a heartbreaking loss in the section final.
There were 11 returners on this team and the season started with the goal of making it to state.
Aspelund anticipates having 15 returning players next season, so expectations will be high once again.
“We’ve got some talented kids,” Aspelund said. “One game further — that was our plan this year and we did it. The boys had a blast getting to this point.
“We’re looking to do the same thing again and we have the guys. They’re primed and ready.”
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