WPSL Wrap Up: Week 6
Wednesday
MN Bliss FC 1-0 Minnesota Dutch Lions
Ella O'Keefe out of Plymouth, MN was the difference maker as she tapped home a corner at the far post after an initial shot was a kick of fresh air. The result places Bliss fourth, equal with a St Croix team that had played two fewer games. Minnesota Dutch Lions, on the other hand, continue their search for their first win.
Friday
Joy Athletic Club 0-4 St Croix Legacy
A dominant midfield performance by the Legacy sees the team from Stillwater area pick off Joy defense with two offside-trap breaking passes around the corner and two late tap ins, totaling two each for Lake Elmo, MN's Amara Smith and two for Shoreview, MN's Tatum Trettel.
Manitou FC 1-4 Mankato United SC
Mandy Elton opened the scoring in the 7th minute but hers would be the only goal for the home side. Local product Ella Huettl, Albertville, MN's Harlee Peltz, Scotswoman Hannah Duncan and St Peter, MN's Grace Dlouhy returned fire for the road team.
Sunday
Mankato United SC 0-2 St Croix Legacy
The visitors took a half-time lead after a Bella Meier free kick from midfield bounced and skipped its way through traffic and over Tea Opitz into the goal. In the 57th minute, Hastings, MN's Meier doubled the team's lead with a sumptuous side foot curler from the edge of the box. Mankato had moments of possession but no penetration into the Legacy box.
Minnesota Dutch Lions 2-0 Manitou FC
The Dutch Lions secured their first win of the season at their last attempt, with well struck goals by Natalia Coury (out of Arizona) and Serene Hamzeh (out of Iowa City, IA).
Coming Up:
The first ever North Lakes Conference Championship, which we look at here.
WPSL North Lakes Conference Championship Preview
FC Milwaukee Torrent v St Croix Legacy - Wednesday July 2nd - 8:30pm, Uihlein Soccer Park, Milwaukee, WI
This is a brand-new conference, and for the teams in the Land of the Lakes Division, it is also the first-ever Conference Final, as the Northern Conference had previously only had one division. Added to that, St Croix Legacy has played twice in the past week to even qualify for the Conference Championship. That scheduling quirk meant that the team from the Eastern side of the Twin Cities metro has played from behind in the standings for almost the entire season, with Salvo and the Thunder squad (who opted out of postseason play) setting the pace at the top and a competitive slate of team performance overall. Tatum Trettel of Shoreview, MN leads the way with 7 goals and Amara Smith from Lake Elmo, MN offering assists and 5 goals of her own.
Nathan Klonecki, Executive Director of St Croix Soccer Club spoke to us after they qualified:
We are excited to represent the North Lakes Conference at the WPSL playoffs next week.
In watching the FC Milwaukee Torrent team they are a strong team and we know it will be difficult but with this Legacy team we will definitely give all of our effort.The St Croix Legacy being in our 3rd year in WPSL we have had seen growth every year on and off the field. The roster is very young and using many of our St Croix SC youth players and then adding other local talent has been a fun season for everyone involved. The coaching staff (Marcos Rodriguez-Sporting Director/Head Coach, Phil Walczak- Asst Coach, and Kate Paetz- GK coach) has done a fabulous job!
In the Lake Michigan Division, it has been a three-way fight for the one spot between FC Milwaukee Torrent, Milwaukee-based Bavarian United and Green Bay Glory. The battle went down to the last week, when Torrent, Bavarians and Glory faced each other directly. It was Torrent that emerged from the gauntlet, shutting out the Glory's division leading offense on their way to an unbeaten regular season. They boast a longer history than Legacy, having joined the WPSL in 2018 and won their Conference in 2023.
Women's Head Coach and Club Owner, Andreas Davi spoke to us before the match:
We are happy that we won the division for four years in a row now and look forward to the conference final. The roster is very deep this year and it will be interesting to see where this journey goes.