No. 1 Wayzata 2, No. 2 Maple Grove 0
Top-seeded Wayzata reigned as the only remaining undefeated team in Class AAA following a 2-0 victory over No. 2 Maple Grove on Friday, Nov. 3 at U.S. Bank Stadium in downtown Minneapolis. The Trojans (20-0-2) struck early and didn’t let up in capturing the big-school state championship for the second consecutive season and fifth title overall. It is Wayzata’s third state championship since 2017.
In the battle of last undefeated teams in the big-school field, Wayzata needed just 2 minutes and 12 seconds into the game to grab the lead it wouldn’t lose. Junior forward Aiden Judickas had the honors by scoring on a header off a corner kick by senior midfielder Charlie Piller. Those two combined again midway through the first half on a similar scoring play to double the Trojans’ advantage.
It was Wayzata’s 16th shutout of the season.
“I am extremely proud of this group,” Wayzata Boys Soccer coach Dominic Duenas said. “They were locked in from Day One. We’ve been focusing on defending from the very first day of training. I couldn’t be more proud of how we defended all season long.”
Maple Grove (19-1-1) was the runner-up for the second time in program history. The first came in 1998 in a loss to Apple Valley in the Class AA championship game. The Crimson had not given up more than one goal in a game this season until the championship game.
“They came out and punched us in the mouths,” said Maple Grove co-head coach Gregg Leininger. “We fought back, but couldn’t get one to go in.”
