Waconia boys soccer team wins three in a row

The Waconia boys soccer team is starting to see success on the field, having won three straight after a 1-4-1 start.

“I think we just started playing as a team,” said Diego Alza. “We started buying into what the coach was saying and it’s just culminating to what we are doing now.”

Their rough start may have also led to teams underestimating the Wildcats, which Waconia is more than happy to take advantage of. Alza launched a rocket shot into the back of the net early on in the 3-1 win over St. Michael-Albertville Saturday night, a goal that paved the way for the win.

“It sets the tone — they have no idea how we play,” Alza said. “they probably look at our record and they don’t think we’re good.”

Alza’s early goal definitely set the tone, as Waconia was on the attack for much for the first half.

“I felt like we played aggressive,” said James Woyno. “We started off the bat scoring a goal with Diego and that just motivated us to get those other two goals. Their defense was playing a high press, so we were able to play that flick over the top. Having our strikers going into that attacking space gave us more chances.”

After Alza’s goal, Luke Struck put the ball in the back of the net on a corner kick delivered by Elijah Seim, then Seim won a penalty kick and easily converted the PK to put the ‘Cats up 3-0 before the break.

“[Scoring before halftime] is just putting the game away,” said Woyno. “It’s having them chase us, instead of us chasing them.”

The win over STMA was part of a three-game winning streak, as the ‘Cats defeated Benilde-St. Margaret’s 2-1 and Bloomington Jefferson 3-1 to move to 4-4-1 on the season. Alza and Seim both recorded goals in the win over STMA, while Woyno and Tyler Sjodin picked up assists.