WORTHINGTON -- For the first time in program's short history, the Willmar boys soccer team pulled off an upset in the playoffs, topping Worthington 2-1 in the first round of the Section 2A tournament on Tuesday.
Sergio Flores scored twice in the first half and Ethan Vogel made 16 saves as the No. 10 Cardinals advanced to Thursday's quarterfinals against No. 2 Mankato West.
"This is a really big win for our program," said an elated Willmar coach Richard Courtney. "We've beaten teams in the section before, but never one we were seeded lower than."
Willmar improved to 7-8-4, avenging a 4-1 loss to Worthington on Sept. 23. Worthington finished 11-4-1.
"The difference from the last time we played them was we didn't have (Josh) Aslesen and it had been raining all day and the field was wet. It was a completely different type of match that day."
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Flores scored the first goal on a corner kick by Dennis Liebchen at the five-minute mark, going up high for a header that he got up high to the back of the net.
Flores got the second goal at 15:49 on a "give-and-go" from Trent Fader, beating Worthington goalkeeper Jesus Pena Sanches to the right corner.
Worthington, which earlier had a goal waived off because it was an untouched indirect kick, scored at 72:30 on a goal by Carlos Minoz-Ramirez, but got no good chances after that.
"Our defense and goaltending were solid again," said Courtney. "Flores also had a key header out and a kick out."
Willmar 2, Worthington 1
Willmar (7-8-4) 2 0 -- 2
Worthington (11-4-1) 0 1 -- 1
FIRST HALF - Wil: Sergio Flores (Dennis Liebchen), 5:00 ... Wil: Flores (Trent Fader), 15:49
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SECOND HALF - Wor: Carlos Munoz-Ramirez, 72:30
Shots on goal - Willmar: 21 ... Worthington: 23
Goalie saves - Willmar: Ethan Vogel 16 ... Worthington: Jesus Pena Sanchez 7
