The Blake Bears Boys' Soccer Team went out in style! In the Class A State Championship Game, at US Bank Stadium, after a scoreless 80 minutes of regulation and 10 minutes of one overtime, sophomore Keegan James did the unbelievable. James took it upon himself to boot the opening kickoff of the second overtime 55 yards into the top right corner of the Bemidji Lumberjack goal to send Blake players, coaches, and fans into a frenzy! The goal gave Blake their first boys' state title since 2008.
The game between #1 Blake and unseeded Bemidji was played with Blake in possession for most of the contest. The game ended with the shots on goal reading, Blake 12 and Bemidji 1. All of which mattered very little until that final goal went in.
The championship for Blake put a stamp on a remarkable season where the Bears finished with a record of 19-1-2. They overcame their lone loss to Breck by defeating them in the section semifinals, before defeating previously unbeaten, #1 ranked, and defending state champion Totino-Grace in the game to get to the state tournament.
Seniors Will Taylor, Jake Lundberg, Haluk Ercan-Fang, and junior Will Mortenson were named to the Class A State Tournament All-Tournament Team.
For additional State Championship media follow the links below: