Tonka soccer team earns Lake title and No. 1 seed

Minnetonka High’s boys soccer team, the Lake Conference champion for 2024, is also the No. 1 seed for the Section 2AAA playoffs with an overall record of 13-1-1.

“In our last 10 games, we’re 9-0-1 with a 33-3 scoring advantage over our opponents,” Minnetonka head coach Mike Rogers said after the section seeding meeting Sunday. Rogers was pleased with the No. 1 seed, which possibly could have gone to Edina, the only team to defeat Tonka this season.

“Dave Jenson [Edina’s head coach] spoke before I did and conceded the No. 1 seed to us,” Rogers said. “Dave is a good man and always very fair.”

The Hornets, as the No. 2 section seed, are looking for another game against Minnetonka. If the seeds hold, they would meet in the playoff finals Thursday, Oct. 17, at a neutral site.

First-round games were scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 9, with Minnetonka playing Chanhassen, Edina playing Waconia, Shakopee playing Prior Lake and Prior Lake playing Chaska.

The semifinal round is set for 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15, and if Minnetonka and Edina won on the 9th, they would host the games.

Minnetonka’s final game of the regular season was a 3-1 win over White Bear Lake Oct. 5 at Einer Anderson Field.

“That game was a great way to get ready for the playoffs,” coach Rogers said. “It was our senior day and we honored 20 players. You could see the pride on the faces of the players and their parents.”

Santiago Sahmkow scored the first goal for the Skippers with Elijah Ryan assisting, then a long throw-in by Soren Lee gave John Albright a chance to scored deep in the box. Moving on to the second half, Eric Detjen gave Minnetonka a 3-0 lead with a goal on Ryan’s second assist of the afternoon. Alex Keekley was the winner in goal.

“White Bear is a strong team from Section 4AAA,” coach Rogers said. “They are physical and well-organized. I am proud of the way we moved the ball. Like we have all year, we played unselfishly.”