Boys Soccer: Willmar ousted after falling in quarterfinals

NORTH MANKATO -- Mankato West knocked Willmar out of the Section 2A playoffs 2-0 on Friday afternoon.

The loss in the quarterfinals was on the same field at Dakota Meadows Middle School where the Scarlets nipped Willmar 1-0 in a shootout in the section championship last year.

Willmar played shorthanded the game's last 60 minutes. The Cardinals received two yellow cards in the first 20 minutes. The second yellow meant a player had to leave the field for good, the same as a red card.

It was scoreless at halftime but Matt Ouren scored on a free kick nine minutes into the second half. Justin Leonard added insurance at the 20 minute mark of the second half.

"The boys showed a lot of heart with only 10 guys out there," said Willmar coach Jeff Winter. "We played with them and the defense was outstanding. Charlie (Trochlil) made some great saves. He's my player of the match."

The Willmar goalie made 10 stops.

The No. 2 seeded Scarlets (12-4-2) outshot No. 7 Willmar (8-9) 12-8.

Mankato West 2, Willmar 0

Willmar 0 0 -- 0

Mankato West 0 2 -- 2

FIRST HALF - no scoring

SECOND HALF - MW: Matthew Ouren (free kick) 49:00 ... MW: Justin Leonard (William Leitch) 60:00

SHOTS ON GOAL - Willmar: 8 ... Mankato West: 12

GOALIE SAVES - Willmar: Charlie Trochlil 10 ... Mankato West: Sam Farley 8