AUSTIN — Austin did something that few opponents were able to do this season against the Kasson-Mantorville boys soccer team: The Packers scored twice.
As a result, Austin is bound for the Section 1A championship game.
The No. 2 seed Packers got two goals from senior midfielder Roel Torres in the first half and held on for a 2-0 win over No. 3 seed K-M on Saturday night.
Austin (9-8-2) will meet No. 1 seed Lourdes (14-5-0) in the section final at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Rochester Regional Sports Stadium. Lourdes edged Austin 1-0 in the middle of the regular season.
It was Austin's second win over K-M in a week, after closing the regular season with a 1-0 win in double-OT. The Packers are coached by Jens Levisen.
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K-M coach Dave Bahr said that his team's accuracy was "way off" as the KoMets missed on six goal scoring chances including a penalty kick that sailed over the goal.
"Despite the score tonight, I thought we played a good game," Bahr said.He said Austin goalie Gach Gach played well, as did K-M midfielder Ross Wagener.
"Wagener had a terrific game covering Austin's Ochan Ochogi, a dangerous attacker, and kept him off the scoreboard," Bahr noted.
K-M finished 16-3-0 and set a number of program records including most wins (16) fewest goals allowed (10) and most shutouts (13).
The KoMets allowed more than one goal in a game only twice, and junior goalie Jack Peterson was coming off consecutive playoff shutouts over Lake City and Albert Lea.
K-M was trying to reach the section finals and make the trip to state for the first time. The KoMets were a veteran team with nine seniors.
SECTION 1A SEMIFINAL
Austin 2, Kasson-Mantorville 0
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Kasson-Mantorville #0#0#—#0
Austin #2#0#—#2
No. 3 Kasson-Mantorville: Goalie: Jack Peterson 6 saves.
No. 2 Austin:Roel Torres 2 goals. Goalie: Gach Gach.
