By Eric Erickson
The Como Cougars soccer team’s magical ride through October 2025 will conclude on Halloween inside U.S. Bank Stadium.
Win or lose, the state high school championship game is the last stop, the place where every team across the state dreams of being.
Como’s Class AA semifinal victory on Tuesday afternoon was an emotional roller coaster for the Cougar supporters. U.S. Bank Stadium was filled with the roar of student sections from Como Park and Simley High School. The loudest moment was the game-winning goal, scored by senior Cougar forward and captain Blessed Htoo in the second overtime of a thrilling 4-3 victory.
Simley entered the match as the tournament’s No. 2 seed, and they looked the part with an early goal drilled into the upper corner.
But Como stayed calm, cool and collected, with junior captain Stephan N’da equalizing six minutes later. Como junior Pah Chi scored on a long free kick to give the Cougars a 2-1 lead going into halftime.
Htoo’s first goal of the match came early in the second half to give the Cougars a 3-1 cushion and comfort in the stands.
But two Simley goals in the last 12 minutes of regulation time leveled the match at 3-3. The tension was high, and the momentum seemed to switch as the teams geared up for sudden death overtime in which a “golden goal” can win it all.
Como’s defense held up under pressure in the first overtime. Then halfway through the second overtime, the magic of this postseason run reached its peak when N’da’s perfectly placed pass was taken in stride by a streaking Htoo who dribbled past the goalie and placed the ball in the back of the net.
A golden goal in the state semifinals that will forever be part of Como Park soccer lore.
Friday’s state championship match versus the No. 1 seed Blake Bears is scheduled to start at 2:45 p.m.
Eric Erickson is a social studies teacher at Como Park Senior High School and a longtime coach of school and youth sports in St. Paul.
Photo caption: The Cougars celebrate Blessed Htoo’s goal in double overtime to secure a 4-3 victory over Simley in the state semifinals. Photo credit:Justin Oakman Photography.
