By Shawn Hogendorf

Correspondent 

The Southern Stars, an adaptive soccer team made up of athletes from Prior Lake, Shakopee and Chaska high schools made their first appearance at the state tournament in Stillwater last weekend.

Solid defense, teamwork, well executed plays and good passing led the Southern Stars to their most successful season in three years.Kurt Mueller of Shakopee dribbles
the ball up the court during a game
against Minneapolis South at
Chaska High School. Israel
Mendoza of Shakopee and Josh
Haller of Prior Lake look on as
Mueller makes a play. (Photos by
Shawn Hogendorf)

“There has been more scoring, the kids understand the plays better and passing more this year,” Coach Jody Tornquist said. “This is a much more aggressive team than past year’s teams.”

Last year the Southern Stars finished the season with a 1-9 record. This year they finished 7-2-1 and won the playoff game that sent them to the state tournament at Stillwater High School on Nov. 10.

There are eight Prior Lake students on the team; five of them are on the varsity team that went to state.The Southern Stars varsity
members from Prior Lake High
School. From left, Blake Liverence,
Chris Pugh, Ryan Haller, Shawn
Ringer and Josh Haller.

Friday night (Nov. 10) the Southern Stars played Park Center, who was very competitive, Tornquist said. The Southern Stars were defeated 4 to 1.  Eli Mendoza of Shakopee scored the team’s only goal on a penalty kick.

Kris Mueller of Shakopee was phenomenal in goal making a lot of tough saves, Tornquist said.  Blake Liverence of Prior Lake , Dan Mendoza of Shakopee and Shawn Ringer of Prior Lake had a lot of shots on goal, that narrowly missed going in the net, she said. 

Saturday morning the Southern Stars returned to Stillwater High School to play a game against the Moundsview/Irondale/Roseville team.

The Southern Stars led 3-1 at half with two goals by Liverence and one by Chris Pugh of Prior Lake.

Moundsview came back in the second half scoring two quick goals to tie the game. With just under a minute remaining, Moundsview scored a fourth goal to win the game 4-3.Husai Mendoza of Shakopee high-
fives Jon Pugh at halftime during a
game against Minneapolis South.
The Southern Stars finished the
season with a 7-2-1 record and
advanced to the state tournament
for the first time in the team’s
three-year history.

Husaie Mendoza of Shakopee, Josh Haller of Prior Lake and Kurt Mueller of Shakopee fought hard on defense all tournament long, Tornquist said. 

“Overall this was a great experience for the team,” Tornquist said. “We brought home a State Tournament Participation plaque, being one of eight teams who qualified for the state tournament.  

 Shawn Hogendorf can be reached at (952) 345-6374 or shogendorf@swpub.com.