Second-half surge lifts Stillwater over Duluth East – Twin Cities

Stillwater stormed past Duluth East with a 3-0 triumph in Tuesday night’s state girls soccer quarterfinal, taking another step towards their fourth state title and first since 2021.

A back-and-forth first half had the contest level at the break, but the Ponies punched through early in the second half and did not let up. A strong wind blowing at their backs, Stillwater’s high press helped them score three goals in the final 40 minutes.

Stillwater head coach Mike Huber said the wind played a “big factor” in the second half.

No. 2 seed Stillwater entered the day with a 13-game unbeaten streak. Unseeded Duluth East had 10 straight victories.

The biggest chance of the first half came from Duluth East’s senior midfielder Julia Davis, who lashed a screamer off the crossbar and down. It was officially ruled not to have crossed the goal line with 32:10 left in the half.

A free-flowing, open first half saw both teams create chances, but it was 0-0 at the break.

Stillwater senior midfielder Dillan Reardon fizzed in a cross that deflected to a Greyhound defender. Ponies freshman midfielder Evelyn Huffer took it off her toe and sent a sensational strike from the edge of the box past the goalkeeper to give the Ponies a 1-0 lead with 30:17 to go in the game.

Huber said Huffer has been great all season, and with a group of 17 seniors, she’s the “little girl on the block” but delivered on the big stage.

“It was a great hit from a freshman, very composed and super happy for her,” Huber said.

Huffer said she was able to anticipate a poor touch from her opponent and then let rip on the ball.

The Ponies continued to charge, and a Duluth East turnover proved costly. Stillwater senior forward Jenna Kurth pounced on a loose pass and nestled a shot into the bottom corner, giving Stillwater a 2-0 lead with 12:05 left.

Kurth said once the Ponies get one goal, they can come in bunches.

Kurth added a second goal in the latter stages to seal a 3-0 victory thanks to clinical finishing and high pressure to advance to a 3A state semifinal at U.S. Bank Stadium.