The Robins PI adapted soccer team had a great Saturday at the 2021 adapted soccer state tournament at Stillwater H.S. on November 20. Due to there only being 6 teams participating this fall, the Robins earned a first round “bye” on Friday, then found themselves facing the Anoka-Hennepin Mustangs for the sixth time this season in the semifinals on Saturday morning. This match turned out much like the first five, with the Robins scoring three times in the first half, leading 3-1. Anoka continued to battle, but just didn’t have enough to take the Robins down. Two Jose Leon Estrada goals, along with single goals from Marcus Brady and Ava Hetteen, combined with 25 saves from Mark Cleveland sent the Robins to a 4-2 win and a date with the Dakota United Hawks in the state championship match.

The Robins and Hawks have a long history, facing each other in adapted championship games more times than most can count, with almost all of the games being thrilling battles. This match certainly lived up to this billing. The Robins looked to be in full control in the first half, running out to a dominant 4-1 lead at halftime. The Hawks scored twice in the first four minutes of the second half, making the score 4-3. After a quick time out, the Robins quickly reasserted their offensive powers on 2 goals by Estrada, pushing the score back to 6-3, but the Hawks weren’t ready to give up. Leading 6-4, Estrada fouind the net for the fourth time in the game to make the score 7-4, but the Hawks answered with another goal, the final goal of the game, just 20 seconds later. The Robins defense held, and brought home the state championship for the first time since 2014 with a final score of 7-5. Mark Cleveland, Edgar Kinanga and Ava Hetteen were named to the Wells Fargo All Tournament Team.

This was an amazing run for the Robins, considering all the challenges the last two years have presented, and is a season that will not be soon forgotten. Congratulations Robins on another remarkable season!