Temi Carda opened the scoring inside the first 5 minutes for the Panthers on a far corner kick and Lakeville North never looked back bouncing the Owatonna Huskies from the section 1AA semi-final 5 goals to 1.

Lakeville North moves on to the section 1AA final Tuesday evening against Rochester Mayo, and advances to the State Tournament with a win.

Senior midfielder Polly Sjoberg was injured in the first half and had to be carted to the bench area, however Sjoberg remained on the sidelines for the entirety of the game but did not re enter. After the game head coach Jeremiah Johnson said that even if he did have an injury update he couldn’t give it to me, but then added “I think she will be alright.”

After the Carda goal the Panthers didn’t look back, scoring 4 unanswered goals and adding a 5th late in the game. Senior Stephanie Butler added North’s second goal on a penalty kick, yet another senior Rachael Miller notched the third on a brilliant strike from 25 yards out with Gillian Hedberg finishing the four bagger after getting in behind.

Owatonna’s lone goal also came on a penalty kick but it was only a matter of technicality as the Panthers would earn one more goal and a spot in the section final.

Coach Johnson says the team “will celebrate until midnight, but as soon as that clock hits midnight it’s time to refocus on the next game”

Lakeville North Panthers 5 vs Owatonna Huskies 1