Huskies rebound from loss, win big at home
Owatonna striker Benjamin Bangs splits two Lakeville North defenders on his way to the ball. Bangs scored two goals in the Huskies' 4-1 win against the Panthers last week. Staff photo by Johnnie Phillips
Owatonna’s boys soccer team defended its home turf for the first time this season, winning 4-1 against Lakeville North in a revenge game from the 2021 section playoffs.
The Huskies scored early and often, compiling two goals in the first half and two goals in the second to outscore the Panthers and send them home with the loss.
“We told our team today, ‘The competition is going to be better today, but we have to be better.’. These guys rose to the occasion, and it’s the little things we keep preaching. The little things will lead to bigger things,” said head coach Bob Waypa.
Owatonna put together a mix of effective offense and defense to neutralize the Panthers, who were caught playing on the back foot for most of the match.
Lakeville north made its first critical error 4:25 into the first half when its goaltender was booked with a yellow card for a hard challenge in the penalty box, resulting in a penalty kick for the Huskies.
Owatonna midfielder Ty Svenby was tasked with taking the shot for the Huskies and proceeded to bury it in the back of the net to give Owatonna an early 1-0 lead.
The next goal of the game came 32 minutes into the match when forward Benny Bangs beat Lakeville North’s goalkeeper with a shot to the upper left corner of the net.
Both teams traded opportunities for the final eight minutes of the half; however, neither side was able to convert. Owatonna took a 2-0 lead into halftime.
After the half, Owatonna defenseman Braden Leonard joined the scoring at the 38-minute mark by finishing a header from a ball crossed into the box.
Leonard’s shot beat the Panthers’ goalkeeper and trickled into the net before a defender could stop it from crossing the goal line, putting Owatonna ahead 3-0.
Putting away the final dagger for Owatonna was Bangs, who scored with 28 minutes remaining after receiving a through ball from the midfield and placing the ball in the lower right portion of the net.
Lakeville North went on to score with 22 minutes remaining, however, it was too late to mount a comeback as Owatonna won 4-1 at the final whistle.
Earlier in the week, Owatonna took its first loss in its season opener against Farmington.
After a scoreless first half, a late goal in the final minutes of the game snatched a draw from the Huskies and resulted in a 1-0 loss on the road.
Owatonna’s next match will come at home against Albert Lea on Thursday, Sept. 1 at 7 p.m.