STARBUCK -- Karis Rogers scored with two minutes left in the first half and later triggered a four-goal surge in the second half as the Willmar Cardinals girls soccer team opened the fall season with a 5-0 win over Minnewaska Area.
Willmar goalkeeper Chelsey Wierschem stopped 15 shots on net by the Minnewaska attackers.
Rogers' goals were followed by scores from Ali Sing, Sam Thompson and Chloe Donoho.
Willmar played into the stiff south wind in the first half but enjoyed a breezy advantage in the second half.
"We played a solid 80 minutes," said coach Jeff Winter. "That first goal gave them a taste of scoring and they just played better as the game went on. It's an indication of things to come, I hope."
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Willmar plays at section rival Mankato East at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Willmar 5, Minnewaska 0
Willmar (1-0)..........1 4 -- 5
Minnewaska (0-1)..........0 0 -- 0
FIRST HALF - Wil: Karis Rogers (Jasper Sweazy)
SECOND HALF - Wil: Rogers (Erin Wankerl) ... Wil: Ali Sing (Chloe Donoho) ... Wil: Sam Thompson (Sara Kallhoff) ... Wil: Chloe Donoho (unassisted)
Shots on goal - Willmar: 19 ... Minnewaska: 15
Goalie saves - Willmar: Chelsey Wierschem 15 ... Minnewaska: Julian Hendrickson 15
