As one of Mahtomedi’s top offensive threats, Matt Schwartz will be counted on to provide plenty of scoring this season. The junior attackman, who had 10 goals and 17 assists last season, is the cornerstone of the Zephyrs’ offense this season, coach Pete Moosbrugger said.

“We know he is going to get his chances, and he will - most of the time - put those away,” Moosbrugger added.

Schwartz met expectations in a home game on Saturday against Stillwater, finishing with three goals and three assists in Mahtomedi’s dominating 13-3 victory over the Ponies.

The production, however, didn’t coming as fast as Schwartz wanted.

He had one goal and one assist during a first-quarter run in which the Zephyrs (2-0) scored five unanswered goals. Despite firing numerous shots, Schwartz went scoreless the rest of the half. 

Stillwater (0-2) only added to Schwartz’s stress, as senior Matthew Kaye netted two second-quarter goals to cut into the lead and help the Ponies head into halftime trailing 6-2.

“At the half, you can tell (Schwartz) was pretty frustrated,” Moosbrugger said. “But we just told him to keep shooting and it will happen.”

Schwartz followed his coach’s instruction and the scoring happened. He tallied four points during a six-goal, third quarter run the Zephyrs used to blow open the game.

After Mahtomedi started the third with two early scores, Schwartz recorded assists on goals by Lucas Honebrink and Ethan Glover to help the Zephyrs expanded the lead to 10-2.

Schwartz then capped the quarter by pumping in two goals in 19 seconds, completing the hat trick and matching the number of goals scored in the game by his teammate Cole Sellman.

“Once you get the first one, you know there are more coming,” Schwartz said. “The game is all about runs and we got on one in the third, and I was able to get a couple more (goals).”

Zephyrs junior goalie Evan Stoker said Schwartz shouldered the load and came through for the team.

“It was just fun to watch him out there,” Stoker said. 

Mahtomedi was also helped by the play of Stoker, who had to keep momentum in the Zephyrs’ favor after that shaky second quarter.

“I think we let off the gas a bit,” Moosbrugger said. “We were not winning the ground balls like we did in the first (quarter). 

“I just asked the guys what the difference was in the first and second and they told me the exact same thing,” he added.

With the offense sputtering in the second quarter, Stoker proved to be the driving force for the Zephyrs. He was integral to Mahtomedi keeping its lead, coming up with several big saves.

“(Stoker) was huge for us,” Moosbrugger said. “We didn’t play our best in the second, but he was there to get us through it. We are going to need him to do that.”

Stoker said the Zephyrs’ defense played a key role in his success.

“Our defense and midfielders were all over (the Ponies),” he said. “Our sticks were in the right places and just made things easier for me, as (Stillwater) did not have much offense at all in the second.”

Up next for Mahtomedi is a Metro East Conference matchup with an undefeated St. Thomas Academy (3-0) on April 21, a game Schwartz said is of particular significance.

“We have never lost to them, so we want to keep it that way,” he added. “But we are going to need a good practice in on Monday and be ready for them.”

Juniors Matt Schwartz and Cole Sellman each scored three goals in Mahtomedi’s 13-3 victory against Stillwater on Saturday at Mahtomedi High School.

Schwartz also recorded two assists for a five-point performance in a battle between the east metro schools.

The Ponies (0-2) were led by senior Matthew Kaye, who scored two second-quarter goals.

The Zephyrs (2-0) take their undefeated record to St. Thomas Academy (3-0) for a Metro East Conference game on April 21.

Stillwater looks for its first win of the season in a tough home matchup with Suburban East Conference rival Mounds View (1-1) on April 20.

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