Sam Lindahl almost stole the show.

Lindahl and Amar Batra, two top-ten scorers in Minnesota boys lacrosse, shined in Wednesday's state quarterfinal. Ultimately, Batra and Wayzata (10-7) won 9-8 against Tartan (15-2) at Minnetonka High School.

Batra, a 61-goal scorer, netted the game's first two goals as the Trojans built a 6-1 first-half lead. He also assisted two goals by Brooks Hanson and Dalton Seesz.

“I think he's the best player in the state,” Trojans coach Chad Herr said of Batra.

Hanson also posted two goals for the Trojans, including one that made it 6-0. Seesz assisted on Alexander Sahli's goal about a minute earlier for a 5-0 lead.

Joey Ocholik chipped in a goal too during the 6-0 run after he caught the ball on a clear-out. He then took the ball to the net for a goal, his second of the season.

“That was the first time it [the play] worked,” Hanson said.

Tartan didn't look ready to bow out down 6-0 despite a quiet first half by Lindahl, who had 58 goals for the season. Wyatt Toll put the Titans on the board late in the half.

An apparent buzzer-beating goal by Tartan before the break could have cut the Trojan lead further, but the officials waived off the attempt.

“I think it was an incorrect call, but they're not going to change the score,” Titans coach Rick Dickinson said.

Wayzata pushed the score more in its favor with another three in the third for a 9-2 lead. Riley Nelson, who had two goals for the game, scored once and and assisted on another goal in the period.

Charles Tabaka had the only goal for Tartan in that stretch. The Titans couldn't find a good shot otherwise.

“We like to make sure nothing happens on the inside,” Herr said. “We knew Tartan specifically likes to feed that crease a lot.”

Wayzata didn't have an answer for Lindahl though once he got going. The Titans junior attack scored a hat trick and assisted on two goals to spark a 6-0 run, which cut the Trojan lead to a goal.

“Sam put a little bit extra on himself today, which is what he does,” Dickinson said.

John Reeves and Robert Veitch each put in goals off Lindahl's passes. Andrew Henderson scored the final goal on an assist from Tabaka.

“We've been down many games before and found a way to come back,” Dickinson said. “They know that they can score. We just needed to get up and start playing a little bit harder.”

A couple penalties by the Wayzata gave the Titans another chance in the final 1:30. Both the Trojans defense stepped up with just one shot allowed, and goalie Will Ramert made his tenth save of the game.

“Will Ramert's by far the star of the game,” Batra said.

Wayzata advances to Thursday's semifinal against Lakeville North in Chanhassen.

Leading scorers Amar Batra of Wayzata and Sam Lindahl of Tartan can pile on the points for their respective boys' lacrosse teams.

Batra got Wayzata off to a big start in the state quarterfinals Wednesday at Minnetonka High School with the first two goals, and the Trojans then built a 6-1 halftime lead. Tartan continued to trail by five or more goals through the third period as the Trojans looked well on their way to the semifinals.

Lindahl then made things interesting for Tartan. The Titans' junior attack spearheaded a five-goal rally before the Trojans prevailed 9-8. He finished with a hat trick and a couple assists.

Wayzata advances to face either Lakeville North or Eagan in the semifinals on Thursday.

Check back for more on the game.