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Stillwater girls find themselves in unfamiliar territory following defeat of rival Park

By Peter Odney, SportsEngine, 09/27/16, 1:45PM CDT

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After years of finishing with .500 records, the Ponies are 12-1 and a Class 2A state tournament contender.

at the goal

Park of Cottage Grove goalie Alivia Kons (99) and Stillwater's Macala Vilme kept a close eye on the ball. Kons and the Wolfpack kept Stillwater at bay on this attack. Photo by Mark Hvidsten, SportsEngine

Olivia Knox

Stillwater's Olivia Knox (left) and Park of Cottage Grove's Carley Haus race for the ball. Knox scored the game's only goal a few minutes into the first half. Photo by Mark Hvidsten, SportsEngine



Stillwater is in unfamiliar territory.

After finishing the past three seasons with records around .500, the Ponies have blown past that middling mark with an impressive start that has assured they will end this year with a much higher winning percentage.

With a 1-0 win at Park of Cottage Grove Tuesday night, Stillwater improved to 11-1 overall and 4-1 in the Suburban East Conference. The Ponies have climbed to No. 2 in the Class 2A state coaches’ poll and are a primed for a deep postseason run — even being considered as state tournament contender. 

It’s been six years since Stillwater’s last state appearance and 15 years since it last played for a state championship. The Ponies were the Class 2A runners-up in 2001 and won state titles in 1998 and 1994.

“It’s something we haven’t been accustomed to lately,” Stillwater coach Mike Huber said of his team’s success this season. “We’ve always been at the bottom of the hill looking up, and we’ve had some success that way.” 

Including last season, when Stillwater went just 5-8-3 during the regular season but made an improbable run to the Class 2A, Section 4 finals, where they suffered a resounding 8-1 defeat to Mounds View. 

The Ponies get a shot at redemption when hosting the Mustangs on Sept. 29. 

On Tuesday, Stillwater banished another ghost from last year, avenging a 3-2 loss to Park. 

Junior forward Olivia Knox, who scored the lone goal in the game’s third minute, said the otherwise lackluster offensive performance was the result of her team trying too hard to play the long ball. 

“We just weren’t clicking up top and we needed to play (the ball to) feet more,” said Knox, whose goal was her third of the season. “We were just kind of kicking it over the top.”

Ponies goalkeeper Evie Kohn turned in a solid performance against the Wolfpack (6-6-0, 2-3-0) with her ninth shutout of the season. 

After splitting time with Maggie Germundson last fall, Kohn has emerged as the team’s undisputed starter in her sophomore season, and her new role at the top of the depth chart has brought about shift in her mindset for each contest.

“Being focused for a full game instead of just half,” Kohn said.

Huber said the high state ranking and improved record has caused him to remind the team of the added consequences that come with consistent winning. 

“I told the girls it’s great to be at the top,” Huber said. “But the thing is, everyone’s chasing after you.” 

First Report

Junior forward Olivia Knox scored in the game’s third minute and sophomore goalkeeper Evie Kohn made eight saves as Stillwater edged Park of Cottage Grove 1-0 in Suburban East Conference action on Tuesday night at Park High School. 

The Ponies (11-1-0, 4-1-0), ranked No. 2 in the Class 2A coaches’ poll, poured 11 shots on goal and wore down the Wolfpack with their effective physicality. 

Park (6-6-0, 2-3-0) had its best chance to tie the game in the last 30 seconds of the first half, putting significant pressure on Stillwater but failing to capitalize.

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