Minnetonka did not get off to an ideal start, but Andres Granizo made sure the Skippers’ finish was picture perfect.

Granizo, playing in his only second varsity game, used his speed and his skill to score his first two goals of the season to lead unbeaten Minnetonka to a 4-2 victory over Wayzata in a Lake Conference clash Tuesday night at Wayzata High School.

Granizo’s goals helped the Skippers, No. 1 in the Minnesota High School Soccer Coaching Association’s Class 2A rankings, extend their winning streak to 10 games and hand the fourth-ranked Trojans (6-1-3) their first loss of the season.

Granizo, a senior forward who was on the junior varsity team a week ago, saw extended playing time against the Trojans after an ankle injury forced Skippers’ leading scorer Suad Siljic to leave the game in the first half.

Minnetonka head coach Mike Rogers didn’t know how Granzio would react to playing extended minutes at the varsity level.

"I just eased him in a bit against Roseville (three days ago) and he did just fine," Rogers said. "Tonight, we just let him go, and his speed was something."

Granizo’s speed was evident on his first goal. He picked up the ball near midfield and raced past Wayzata’s defenders before sending the ball by Trojans' goalkeeper Troy Louwagie with one quick pass.

"His speed is one of his best skills, but his touches are great," Skippers’ sophomore Josh Greiner said. "It is impressive how much skill he has."

Granizo, an exchange student, has only been in the Skippers’ program for a short time but is learning fast and having fun.

“A few weeks ago I was on JV, and I have just worked hard and run all over the place,” he said. “It has been exciting."

Minnetonka is excited to know Granizo gives the Skippers’ some much-needed depth with Suljic’s injury keeping him out of the lineup until the postseason.

"I look at what we did tonight, one of the best scorers in the state goes down and we have players step up and play well in a big game, Rogers said. “It is exactly what you want as a coach."

Granizo is exactly what Rogers and the rest of the Skippers need as they head into the second half of their Lake Conference schedule.

"It's ridiculous how (Granizo) has played so far," Greine said. "He was on JV a few games ago and now he is scoring huge goals for us in a conference game."

Andres Granizo scored two goals as Minnetonka, ranked No. 1 in the Minnesota State High School Soccer Coaching Association's Class 2A poll, defeated No. 5 Wayzata 4-2 in a Lake Conference matchup on Tuesday at Wayzata High School.

Josh Greiner and Peter Stoltenberg also scored for the Skippers (10-0-0).

Wayzata's Arthur Parens and Clay Elmore scored for the Trojans (6-1-3) as they suffered their first loss of the season. 

Spotlight Game Coverage