A lightning-quick start erased any early jitters, and stellar defense down the stretch sealed the win, as Andover knocked off third-seeded Minnetonka 3-2 in the Class AAA boys soccer state quarterfinals held in Edina Oct. 22.
Just three minutes into the game, a deep throw into the box led to a loose ball near the net, with Collison Acquoi pouncing and converting to put the Huskies on the board first.
Minnetonka managed to answer a little over three minutes later, also capitalizing on a strong throw-in to level the score.
Andover would get the best of the chances the rest of the half, though, with Grady Monette first burying a header on a cross by Dylan Schroeder 14 minutes in, then blasting a free kick home from about 25 yards out six minutes before halftime.
“I felt we had a great start, put away our chances in the first half, had a lot of extra energy in the game and really wanted it,” Andover head coach Andy Lynch said. “Great finish by Collison on the first goal! The cross from Dylan Schroeder to Grady Monette on the second goal was perfect and a good goal as well! That great first half really helped us.”