Baker Reding (6) of St. Thomas Academy scored the go-ahead goal in the fourth quarter against Mahtomedi. Photo: CARLOS GONZALEZ • cgonzalez@startribune.com
St. Thomas Academy coach Luke Marks gave his lacrosse team a lesson in persistence before the bus ride Tuesday to Chanhassen High School for the state tournament quarterfinals.
The Cadets watched the goosebumps-inducing video of Heather Dorniden’s 2008 Big Ten Indoor Track and Field Championship performance, in which the Gophers’ standout comes back to win her 600-meter qualifying heat despite crashing to the track at the start of the final lap.
“I said, ‘Something bad is going to happen today, boys, but you can control how you react to it,’ ” Marks said.
Message received.
State tournament newcomer St. Thomas Academy brushed off a two-goal deficit entering the fourth quarter and prevailed 11-8 against Mahtomedi.
State tournament newcomer St. Thomas Academy showed the poise of a veteran team late in a 11-8 victory against Mahtomedi on Tuesday in the boys’ state tournament quarterfinal game played at Chanhassen High School.
Trailing 8-6 after No. 4 seed Mahtomedi (11-6) scored the only two goals of the third quarter, the No. 5 seed Cadets (15-2) tallied five consecutive goals in the fourth quarter. Luke Williams and Baker Reding each scored twice during the surge.
St. Thomas Academy also defeated its Metro East Conference counterparts 10-7 on April 23.
Check back later for more on the game.