Crookston Pirates Girls Soccer drops match to Walker-Hackensack-Akeley

The Crookston Pirates Girls’ soccer team had much better offensive progress but still couldn’t find the back of the net, and the Walker-Hackensack-Akeley Wolves made them pay, winning 3-0 in Walker on Tuesday.

FIRST HALF –
For the first few minutes of the game, the Pirates and Wolves were both getting a feel for the game, and at the ten-minute mark the Wolves got the upper hand. Aggressiveness, combined with the unfortunate placement of the sun, gave the Wolves two great looks in two minutes that they could cash in on, as Zoe Cox and Elizabeth Cairns each scored to put the Wolves up 2-0. From there, the Pirates began to shift the momentum back in their favor, making passes and getting a few shots on goal for the first time in a couple of games. However, WHA goalkeeper Angelique White was up to the task, stopping all three shots she faced in the half, allowing the Wolves to maintain their 2-0 lead.

SECOND HALF –
In the second half, the Wolves made adjustments and came out firing, and Piper Burns found paydirt three minutes in, boosting the Wolves’ lead to 3-0. Pirate goalkeeper Kambree Wangen then came out of the game due to a migraine, and senior Brooklyn Waldal stepped up to play goalkeeper for the first time in her career. WHA stepped up their aggression and fired on all cylinders, trying to beat Waldal in net. However, Waldal didn’t play like it was her first time in net, as she put up ten saves in the half without allowing a goal. The Pirates also got a couple more shots on net, but White stopped them both, and the Wolves held on for a 3-0 victory.
Pirate head coach Sarah Reese praised Waldal for her tremendous effort in net. “She did great!” Reese said. “She is always up for a challenge, a team player through and through… and a little adrenaline goes a long ways.” On the game overall, Reese added, “We were definitely tired after that intense game in East Grand Forks last night, but we collectively had a much better second half. We got a few shots off, but we definitely need more shots and confidence.”

Crookston drops to 0-9 on the season, and WHA improves to 3-5-2.

Scoring –
11′ – WHA = Zoe Cox
13′ – WHA – Elizabeth Cairns
43′ – WHA – Piper Burns