When Maple Grove’s Jake Willson scored in double overtime of the Section 8 championship game Wednesday, Gig Willson felt a double dose of delight. 

As Jake’s father, Gig was happy to see his son notch the goal that gave the Crimson a 10-9 victory over Wayzata and clinched the section title. As the Maple Grove's coach, Gig was proud his team secure the program's first state tournament bid.

The ear-to-ear grin on Gig’s face following victory may also have represented a bit of redemption as Wednesday’s game was a chance for Maple Grove to avenge a 6-1 loss to the Trojans in last year’s section championship.

The Crimson came out looking like a team ready to take advantage of a second chance. In the opening minutes, Maple Grove flew down to Wayzata’s end of the field intent on scoring. After an early shot hit the top of the net, sophomore attacker Hunter House put the Crimson on the scoreboard first.

Gig Willson said after the game his team’s plan wasn’t to come out fast, but rather slow down the pace.

“(The fast tempo) was more of their nervous energy coming out than our game plan,” he added. 

Top-seeded Wayzata (13-2) quickly settled down and scored six of the next eight goals to take a 6-3 lead into the intermission. Amar Batra led the Trojans’ charge with three goals.

Second-seeded Maple Grove (15-1) overcame Wayzata’s offensive outburst with six consecutive goals in the second half to build a three-goal lead in the fourth quarter.

The Trojans, however, battled back with three goals in the final five minutes to tie the game and force overtime. 

Crimson sophomore goalie Frank Gates said his team wasn’t expecting Wayzata to lie down.

“We knew what was coming to us,” Gates said. “We knew they weren’t going to give up.”

Maple Grove is no stranger to playing overtime games. In the section semifinals on May 29, the Crimson defeated Anoka 7-6 on an overtime goal from Jake Willson.

“We’ve been in games like this all year,” Gig Willson said. “The guys have a quiet momentum in them that builds all game.”

In the overtime periods, Maple Grove and Wayzata methodically passed the ball around the field trying to find the perfect shot. Neither capitalized until Jake Willson got his chance with 1:52 remaining in the second overtime. The midfielder had a step on his opponent and ran towards the goal, where he fired the ball into the back of the net to give the Crimson the victory. 

After the hysteria subsided, Maple Grove accepted its first-place medals. 

It was a special moment for Jake Willson.

When the senior captain got his medal, he shared a big, extended hug with Gig. 

The father and son duo has been together on the lacrosse field since Jake played at the youth level, and they have developed a unique relationship.

“We go back and forth sometimes at practice, but we get each other,” Jake said. “It’s a great chemistry out there.”

Jake and Gig have an opportunity to continue bonding with a trip to the state tournament. Gig Willson expects tough competition, but he’s excited for the opportunity.

“We’ve never been there as a program,” he said. “I want the guys to go and love every minute of it.”

Maple Grove will make its first trip to the state tournament after the No. 2-seeded Crimson upset No. 1 seed Wayzata 10-9 in overtime Wednesday in the Section 8 championship at Park Center High School.

Senior midfielder Jake Willson scored the game-winner for Maple Grove with 1:52 remaining in the second half of overtime. It was Willson’s second goal of the game. 

Hunter House and Max Johnson each finished with three goals for the Crimson (15-1).

Wayzata (13-2) sent the game to overtime with three goals in the final five minutes, including the game-tying goal from senior midfielder Adam Grooms with 15 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.

Grooms, Grant Long and Max Stecker each had two goals, while Amar Batra led the Trojans with three goals and three assists.

With the win, Maple Grove avenged its 6-1 loss to Wayzata in the section final last season. The Crimson make their state tournament debut on June 9 at Minnetonka High School.

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