Austin Packers boys’ soccer team headed back to state with 3-2 in Section 1A final

Andres Garcia’s goal in the 49th minute proved to be the game winner for the Austin Packers boys’ soccer team in the Section 1A final in Winona Thursday versus Rochester Lourdes as the Packers withstood a second half rally by the Eagles to win 3-2 and clinch their third straight trip to the State Class A boys soccer tournament.  

Daniel Brown scored on a free kick for Rochester Lourdes in the 61st minute to cut Austin’s lead to 3-1, and Jackson Knoepke knocked in a rebound off a free kick in the 69th minute to make the score 3-2, but the Packers were able to stymie the rally just enough to hold on for the win.  

Poe Reh scored off a corner kick to put Austin up 1-0 in the 18th minute and Luke Evenson tallied on a penalty kick in the 27th minute to make it 2-0 Austin in the first half. 

The Packers head into the state tournament with a record of 14-2-2, and it is Austin’s fourth overall trip to the state tournament, which will start next Tuesday, October 22nd with the quarterfinals, which are seeded and will be held at a location and time yet to be determined. The Minnesota Class A semifinals will be held at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Oct. 28 and the state title game will be held in US Bank Stadium at 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 31.