Packers top Byron, will play for state berth Tuesday
Published 2:06 pm Saturday, October 14, 2017
- Austin’s Henry Tolbert sends the ball past Byron goalie Carter Johnson for a score in the first half of a of a Section 1A semifinal game Saturday at Art Hass Stadium. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
The Austin boys soccer team dominated possession and controlled tempo as it knocked off No. 13 Byron 5-0 in a Section 1A semifinal contest in Art Hass Stadium Saturday.
The game was moved to an 11 a.m. start time due to weather concerns, but the Packers (16-0-2 overall) didn’t have any trouble waking up. While the Packers had beaten Byron (5-13-1 overall) 6-1 in the regular season, they certainly weren’t looking past their opponent.
Austin’s Caleb Simerson works the ball along the side against Byron’s Cameron Schmit during second half in a Section 1A semifinal game Saturday at Art Hass Stadium. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
“Our main goal is to stay focused,” Austin junior Caleb Simerson said. “We came out ready to play.”
Austin hammered out 19 shots in the win and Josh Brehmer had to make just one save to pick up the shutout. Austin built up a 3-0 lead in the first half when Mooday Wah scored off an assist from Sam Bailey, Henry Tolbert scored a goal and senior Lonyjera Okal scored hit first of three goals in his final home game for Austin.
Austin’s Elton Tolbert leaps over Byron’s Zach Gibson in the first half a of a Section 1A semifinal game Saturday at Art Hass Stadium. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
“I felt pretty, good but at the same time I was sad with this being my last time playing here,” Okal said. “I’m looking forward to the finals.”
Austin has stayed unbeaten this season by coming to play with energy every game and by avoiding selfish play. The Packers were able to keep those two categories in their favor on Saturday.
“We wanted to make sure what we gave is the type of soccer we’re capable of playing and everybody had that focus right out of the get go,” Levisen said. “They passed with patience to create opportunities.”
Austin’s Lonyjera Okal gives chase to a ball in front of Byron’s Adam Krakora during the first half of a Section 1A semifinal game Saturday at Art Hass Stadium. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
The Packers will now turn their focus to the Section 1A title game, where they will play either Rochester Lourdes or Winona at RCTC on Tuesday at 5 p.m. Austin beat Lourdes 2-0 and it topped Winona 1-0 in the regular season.
“We’re going to come out and play Austin soccer. That’s our main focus,” Simerson said. “We like the energy we’ve had and we’ve been taking it one game at a time. We’re ready to go out there and play.”
Austin’s Sam Bailey is sent sprawling after being tripped by Byron’s Zach Gibson in the first half of a Section 1A semifinal game Saturday at Art Hass Stadium. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin has been looking to get back in the section title game since it lost to Northfield 1-0 last season. The Packers are looking to lock up their first state tournament berth since 2009.
“It’s been something that I’m sure all of us have had in the back of our minds, even though we’ve been taking it one game at a time,” Levisen said. “They’ll definitely be hungry for that one.”
Austin’s Mooday Wah celebrates his first half goal against Byron in a Section 1A semifinal game Saturday at Art Hass Stadium. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
