Girls soccer: Hutch ends Willmar’s season

HUTCHINSON - Two goals in a four-minute span late in the first half propelled Hutchinson past Willmar 4-2 in the first round of the Section 2A playoffs Monday.
Mariah Mraz netted both first-half goals for the No. 7-seeded Tigers, who lost 3-1 to the Cardinals a month earlier in Willmar.
The Tigers (7-6-2) scored first in the second half before the No. 10 Cardinals (5-11-1) found the scoreboard with a Shelby Schneider goal. But Hutchinson answered six minutes later to regain its three-goal lead. Rebecca Rancour scored both of the second-half goals for the Tigers.
Jenna Stauffenecker made the final score after getting a pass from Alexis Becerra in the 78th minute. Hutchinson outshot the visiting Cardinals 10-8 as Willmar goalie Laura Christianson made eight saves.
“It was a very aggressive game and that threw our girls off in the first half,” said Willmar coach Chelsea Brown. “We picked up the momentum in the second half and had many chances, but we couldn’t recover in enough time.”
The Tigers will meet No. 2 St. Peter in Thursday’s quarterfinals.
Hutchinson 4, Willmar 2
Willmar (5-11-1) 0 2 - 2
Hutchinson (7-6-2) 2 2 - 4
FIRST HALF – Hut: Mariah Mraz 34:00 … Hut: Mraz 38:00
SECOND HALF – Hut: Rebecca Rancour 53:00 … Wil: Shelby Schneider 57:00 … Hut: Rancour 63:00 … Wil: Jenna Stauffenecker (Alexis Becerra) 78:00
SHOTS ON GOAL – Willmar: 8 … Hutchinson: 10
GOALIE SAVES – Willmar: Laura Christianson 8 … Hutchinson: Sydney Crims 6