A late header by Michael Hernandez Ruiz gave Simley a 1-0 victory over Cretin-Derham Hall in the Section 3AA boys soccer final Tuesday night and its first state tournament berth since 2009.

A scrappy, free kick filled affair was goalless until the game’s 68th minute when a long ball into the Raiders’ box was guided on goal by Hernandez Ruiz to punch the Spartans’ ticket to U.S. Bank Stadium.

Simley head coach David Albornoz said his team was resilient on the pitch and that his team achieved something special.

“No one believed in them,” Albornoz said. “Look at them now.”

For the first time in 16 years the Spartans are on their way to state after a windy, rain-filled night at Spartan Stadium.

An early foul on the Raiders gave Simley’s Luis Ramirez Reyes the opportunity to whip one into

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