A first and a redemption

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Oliyath’s hat trick lifts Eagan to Class 3A title

Eagan midfielder Eric Noll, left, takes a shot on goal past Maple Grove’s Carter Mast (6) during the first half of the Class 3A championship game of the state boys soccer tournament at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Friday. Eagan won 4-3 in overtime for the school’s first state title in boys soccer. PHOTOS BY CRAIG LASSIG — SPECIAL TO THE PIONEER PRESS

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By Mike Cook

Special to the Pioneer Press

Zayan Oliyath could not have picked a better way or time to complete his hat trick.

Or done it on a grander stage.

The Eagan sophomore scored 4:25 into overtime. and the Wildcats beat Maple Grove 4-3 for the Class 3A boys soccer state championship Friday morning at U.S. Bank Stadium.

It is the school’s first title.

Maple Grove finished second for the second straight year.

“It was a crazy game, 4-3 after 0-0 at halftime,” said Jake Sondag, who scored the other Eagan goal.

From in front of the Eagan student section, a low corner kick from Owen Juntilla went toward Blake Prouty at the near post and he redirected the ball in front. It touched a couple of Crimson players before Oliyath used his left foot to put the ball across the line and ignited a celebration. It was his second three-goal game of the season.

“He was amazing today,” midfielder Syon Thapa said.

Keeping their fans nervous is nothing new for the Wildcats. Seeded fourth, Eagan (20-1-1) won its state quarterfinal in overtime on an Eric Noll penalty kick, then Sondag netted the state semifinal winner in double overtime.

“They have a rule that (the student section) has to be back at school within an hour of the game ending and we’re just trying to make it so they have less school today,” Prouty joked.

Following an evenly played, scoreless first half, it could safely be argued no one saw an offensive explosion coming.

After all, second-seeded Maple Grove (19-1-1) allowed a season-high two goals in a game twice this season; Eagan had yet to allow more than one goal in a game.

But …

Off a turnover, Gavin Chabica fed Everett Johnston for a one-timer from 18 yards out midway through the second half for a 3-2 Maple Grove lead. Eight minutes later, Oliyath lasered his second goal of the game from about 23 yards out, a shot the Crimson goalkeeper got his fingertips on.

“Even though we were down 1-0 and down 3-2, we were always in this game, we were going to get ‘em,” Prouty said.

Prior to those scores, the teams scored four goals in just over five minutes with excitement switching rapidly among the fan bases.

Down 2-1, Maple Grove tied it when an Ike Deuel chip from 32 yards out was redirected off the head of a diving Gannon Farrens and into the lower corner of the net.

Off a 40-yard free kick by Johnston, Frank Miller scored on a rebound for a 1-0 Crimson lead.

“Throughout this season, one of our best attributes is our strong leadership. When we get scored on, our heads are up, not down. We responded well but just didn’t get the result,” Miller said.

Between those Crimson goals, Oliyath lined a shot to the top corner from nearly the same place as his second goal, and Sondag stole the ball from a defender in the box and nudged the ball past the goalkeeper as the Wildcats made it 2-2.

Oliyath, the team’s top scorer, hadn’t scored in the prior two tournament games but had numerous good looks.

“He’s confident to shoot it from anywhere … he has the mentality to just keep going with it and eventually it’ll be different,” said Eagan coach Josue Boutouli.