Austin Blanks Owatonna to Take Lead in Big Nine Soccer

Austin has been very stingy on the soccer pitch this season. The Packer boys beat Owatonna 3-0 on Tuesday to take over sole possession of first place in the Big Nine title chase. It was their sixth straight shutout and eighth on the season. Austin (9-2, 7-1) has only allowed six total goals in eleven games.

It was Owatonna's second straight conference setback, after falling to Mayo 1-0 last week. The Spartans also beat Austin this season, but lost to Faribault. The Huskies (8-3-1, 6-2) host the Falcons Thursday at 7 pm at the Lincoln Soccer Complex. OHS entertains Lakeville South Saturday at 1 pm in a key section game.

The Owatonna girls sailed by Austin Tuesday 11-1. Grace Wolfe and Jordan Whalen each had a hat trick. Jessica Gregory scored her first goal. Sydney Kretlow, Erin Holzerland, Asia Bursyka and Kiley Friedrichs added tallies. It was the fifth straight win for OHS (5-4-1, 4-1-1 Big Nine). The Huskies go to Faribault Thursday and host defending AA state champ Eagan at 10 am at Lincoln Saturday.

Owatonna volleyball prevailed over Albert Lea 3-2 Tuesday night, winning the fifth set 15-13 after the Tigers rallied back from a 2-sets-to-none deficit. The Huskies fought off two match points in the final set. The night started with OHS down 7-0 in the opening game, but rallied back to win 25-20.

In the second set, Albert Lea went on a late run to force overtime and had three set points but Owatonna took it 30-28 for a two-set lead. Albert Lea won the third set 26-24 and the fourth 25-19.

Owatonna was led at the net by Kaitlyn Madole and Alyvia Johnson, each with about 15 kills, and Jenna Gleason, who was involved in a number of blocks. OHS hosts Red Wing Thursday before going to the St. Michael-Albertville Tournament Friday and Saturday.

The Huskies' boys' cross country team finished second in the 19-team field at the Bloomington Jaguar Invitational.