The Crookston Pirates Girls’ soccer team got a first period goal from Jennika Reese but couldn’t find a second one as the Hibbing Bluejackets held on to win 2-1 at KROX Radio Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
FIRST HALF –
For the first ten minutes of the half, the game was a track meet, with both teams going on runs and the ball being spread out throughout the field. The Pirates then got possession and had three corner kicks, but unfortunately, after the third one, Abigail Farnsworth took off on a breakaway and scored to put Hibbing up 1-0. That lead did not last very long, however, as Kira Daniels hit a left-footed shot a few minutes later, tying the game at one apiece. The Pirates then got one more shot on goal in the half, and that would be their last one for the rest of the game. The defense, though, stayed locked in, stopping great looks from the Bluejackets and helping Kambree Wangen make easy saves. Overall, the Pirates were able to settle things down, and the game stayed tied at one at the half.
SECOND HALF –
To start the second half, the Bluejackets made some defensive adjustments and as a result were able to maintain possession for a lot more time in this half. This bore fruit early, as Ruby Betters hit a perfect shot beyond the outstretched arms of Wangen, giving the Bluejackets a 2-1 lead. For most of the rest of the half, the Bluejackets controlled the ball, and got multiple opportunities, though very few shots actually made it to Wangan. Kambree had a moment with about thirteen minutes remaining, where she whiffed on a ball and was in a footrace with Betters, but Wangen made an incredible play to clear the ball away from the net. The Pirates then were able to turn the ball upfield, and Jennika Reese then got tripped on a potential breakaway, bringing out a yellow card and giving Brooklyn Waldal a free kick for the 16-yard line. However for the second game in a row, Waldal drilled the crossbar, and through a quagmire of bodies, the ball stayed out and was eventually cleared. That would be the last real look the Pirates had, allowing the Bluejackets to hold on to a 2-1 win.
Crookston drops to 1-10-1 on the season.
| 1st | 2nd | Final | |
| Crookston | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Hibbing | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Scoring –
12:43 – Hibbing – Abigail Farnsworth
14:46 – Crookston – Kira Daniels
43:12 – Hibbing – Ruby Betters
| SAVES | 1 | 2 | Final |
| Kambree Wangen – Crox | 4 | 3 | 7 |
| Avery Skalskyi – Hibbing | 1 | 0 | 1 |
