The ball was at the far end of the field so often and for so long in the first quarter, Blake goalie Nick Washuta had the perfect opportunity to take a short siesta, or maybe catch up on some homework, perhaps do some light reading, complete a crossword puzzle … you get the idea.

Which isn’t to say Washuta wasn’t tested in Monday’s 13-6 victory over host Benilde-St. Margaret’s. On the contrary, Washuta spoiled several Grade A chances, including a handful of point-blank shots by state scoring leader Michael Lamb.

“Unreal, best goalie in the state right here,” said Blake junior attackman Quinn Ellis, who led the No. 15-ranked Bears with five goals in their upset of the No. 6 Red Knights at Benilde-St. Margaret’s School.

Blake coach Frank Clark said he appreciates Washuta’s clam demeanor, even if it can sometimes be a bit extreme.

“We’ve got to make sure he’s breathing sometimes,” Clark said with a grin about the sophomore. “He’s pretty flatlined. But that’s what you want in a goalie. He takes the ups and the downs in the same stride and understands the ebbs and flows. I think that played itself out with the whole team tonight.”

Blake led 6-0 after the first quarter, but Benilde-St. Margaret’s scored the first four goals of the second. Game on. The Bears might have lost the momentum, but they never panicked. And the Red Knights never got closer than two the rest of the way.

“We came out with a lot of energy and everything,” said Washuta, who has a 6.75 goals-against average and .509 save percentage. “We were stoked to play.”

Stoked? Yes. Wild and crazy? No.

“We were calm and controlled the play,” said Washuta, whose quick stick and equally quick thinking allowed him to repeatedly deny scoring chances by Lamb, a senior attackman who shares the state lead with 14 goals and ranks No 1 statewide in points with 23.

At one point, Washuta stopped a breakaway chance by throwing his chest at the ball. 

“I didn’t really know where he was going to shoot it,” Washuta said. “So I just jumped up, and it hit me in the chest.”

The Bears played without Gus Austin, in street clothes and watching on crutches with torn knee ligaments. Bears midfielder Moss Shannon also has knee issues but managed to play, as did Jack Taylor, who has a broken wrist.

First Report

Junior attackman Quinn Ellis scored scored five goals and sophomore goaltender Nick Washuta made a handful of spectacular saves as No. 15-ranked Blake overpowered No. 6 Benilde-St. Margaret’s 13-6 on a windy and wet Monday night at Benidle-St. Margaret’s School in St. Louis Park. 

Ellis scored twice in the first quarter as the Bears (2-2) roared to a 6-0 lead and appeared well on their way to a blowout victory in the matchup of longtime private school rivals. 

Thomas Luedke scored twice as Benilde-St. Margaret’s (3-2) opened the second quarter with four straight goals. Michael Lamb’s goal for the Red Knights to open the scoring in the third quarter cut Blake’s lead to 7-5 and appeared to have set up a tight finish for the two teams who have a history of playing to dramatic endings.

Blake, however, scored six of the final seven goals – three by Ellis – spanning the third and fourth quarters to ease to the victory.

The game was originally scheduled at Blake School’s grass field in Hopkins but was moved Monday to Benilde-St. Margaret’s turf field.

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