Call the Spartans the kings of shooting.

A week after surviving the Class A state quarterfinals via a shootout victory over St. Croix Prep, St. Paul Academy did it again Wednesday at US Bank Stadium, beating Pine Island 4-3 on shootouts after that the two teams tied without goals. 100 minutes of action.

It’s the second year in a row that the Spartans have ripped out the hearts of Pine Island in downtown Minneapolis. St. Paul Academy scored three goals in the second half of last year’s state final to defeat Pine Island, 3-2.

This year was somehow more dramatic. What else can you expect from this postseason for St. Paul Academy? Nothing has been easy for the Spartans (16-3-1) in their quest for a third straight state title. Every win since the start of sectionals has come by one count, including a double-overtime win in the section semifinals against Hiawatha Collegiate and these last two shootout wins.

Erik Bjorgvinsson got the top-seeded Spartans on the board to open the shootout, going low left for a goal. Rowan McLean and Andrew Sullivan also scored for St. Paul Academy in the first three rounds. Pine Island responded every time. But drama occurred in the fourth round, when both teams sent kicks over the bar.

But in Round 5, Spartans senior Arlo Zirps pulled a quick trigger on his attempt and buried one in the back of the net.

Fifth-seeded Pine Island’s do-or-die attempt went well, and the Spartans are one win away from a third title. They will be in the Class A final at 5 pm Friday at US Bank Stadium.

CLASS 2A

Holy Angels 2, Orono 0: The top-seeded Stars took a 1-0 lead in the 37th minute on a goal from senior forward Logan Ciresi, and junior midfielder William Ferrufino added an insurance goal in the second half when the Holy Angels edged out the fourth seed. Oroño.

Totino-Grace 2, Blake 0: The second-seeded Eagles are back in the championship match for the first time since 2017. They will face Holy Angels in the finals at 12:30 p.m. Friday after defeating the Bears, seeded third. .

Junior forward Siman Gelato put the Eagles ahead in the 33rd minute. Truett Dollins then scored in the 78th minute to essentially end the game with a free kick from 20 yards out to extend the lead to two goals.