Austin Packers boys’ soccer blanks Kasson/Mantorville 2-0 in Section 1AA quarterfinals Tuesday

The Austin Packers boys’ soccer team, the No. 4 seed in the Section 1AA tournament played host to fifth-seeded Kasson/Mantorville at Art Hass Stadium Tuesday evening, and first half goals from Aidan Martinez and Joel Thwang were all the Packers would need in a 2-0 shutout win.

Martinez’s goal only four minutes in gave Austin a 1-0 lead, and Thwang’s tally late in the 26th minute proved to be more than enough for a very stingy Packer defense and keeper Logan Peterson, who had to make only four saves to earn the shutout win, while Austin peppered the Komets goal with 22 shots for the game.

With the win, the Packers are now 7-6-3 heading into the Section 1AA semi-finals in Winona Thursday evening against the top-seeded Winhawks, who downed No. 8 seed Red Wing Tuesday night 5-1.  The other semi-final Thursday evening will pit No. 2 seed Byron against No. 3 seed Faribault.  The Bears blanked No. 7 seed Albert Lea 4-0 while the Falcons edged No. 6 seed Waseca 2-1.  The Section 1AA boys’ soccer final is slated for Tuesday, October 19th in Albert Lea at 7:30 p.m. that evening.