Championship Saturday: Stillwater 1 Centennial 0 Class AAA Girls Soccer Championship

Stillwater ended a state championship drought that spanned more than two decades following a 1-0 victory over Centennial in the Class AAA girls soccer championship game on Saturday, Nov. 6 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Junior forward Nell Smith scored in the 11^th minute and that lone tally held as the Ponies (16-3-2) used staunch defense and consistent offensive flow to secure its first title since winning the Class AA crown in 1998.

It is Stillwater’s third soccer state championship in five championship game appearances. The Ponies, making their 11^th state tournament appearance, were the Class AA champion in 1994 and 1998 while finishing runner-up in 1997 and 2001.

On the game’s only goal, senior midfielder Catherine Fredkove slid a pass to Smith, who lobbed a shot over the outstretched arm of Centennial sophomore goalkeeper Jordan Metz. Centennial fired nine shots on Stillwater senior goalkeeper Hadley Johnson. Perhaps her biggest save of the game came in the second half when she was able to punch a shot by senior midfielder Lauren Ahles over the crossbar off a free-kick.

Metz had six saves among the seven shots she faced.

Stillwater’s road to the championship includes a 1-0 victory over Lakeville North in the quarterfinals and a 3-2 win over Edina in the semifinals.

Centennial (19-2-0) was attempting to win its second state title and first since 2016. In 2019, the Cougars were the Class AA runner-up to Maple Grove. The Cougars advanced to the championship game with a 1-0 victory over Wayzata in the quarterfinals followed by another 1-0 win over Rosemount in the semifinals.

All-Tournament Team

• Dana Bruer, Wayzata, F
• Marlee Williams, Lakeville North, D
• Lauren McAlpine, Mounds View, GK
• Lauren Gregory, Elk River, D
• Isabela Engle, Edina, MF
• Madaline Dahlien, Edina, F
• Ashley Thurk, Edina, MF
• Taylor Heimert, Rosemount, MF
• Jordan Hecht, Rosemount, GK
• Sydney Kubes, Centennial, D
• Lauren Ahles, Centennial, MF
• Hadley Johnson, Stillwater, GK
• Catherine Fredkove, Stillwater, MF
• Marissa Bonilla, Stillwater, F
• Nell Smith, Stillwater, D