Crookston Boys Soccer Come Up Short at Fergus Falls

The Crookston Pirate Boys Soccer team tied the game halfway through the second half, but a Fergus Falls Otter penalty kick less than two minutes later was the deciding goal in a 2-1 Pirate loss at Fergus Falls in a Section 8A game.
The first half was scoreless half and Crookston had some opportunities and came up short and the game was a scoreless tie at halftime. Crookston was in Fergus Falls’ half most of the time, but they weren’t able to get continued pressure. “We had opportunities, but we aren’t putting pressure on the net like we should,” said Pirate Coach Don Cox. “We couldn’t get anything going with cross passes or anything else.”

Fergus Falls scored the first goal of the game just over nine minutes into the second half. It was a free kick from the top 18. “My guys just didn’t clear it,” said Coach Cox. “There was a scrum in front of the net and they had a kid that got a lucky foot on it and flipped it in. We weren’t able to clear the ball and they made us pay.” Crookston answered with a goal less than 11 minutes later when Ben Brantner had a beautiful cross pass and Noah Kiel scored to tie the game at 1-1. “It was a really nice cross pass from Ben on the right side of their net and just inside the right side of the box and Noah caught it and put it in,” said Coach Cox. “It was a beautiful goal and I told the guys this is how you’re supposed to play.”
Less than two minutes later, Fergus Falls received a penalty kick after a Pirate got tangled up with an Otter and they scored to take a 2-1 lead. “Our guy was trying to chase him down and ran into him and tripped up the Fergus Falls kid and the penalty kick was called,” said Coach Cox. “We can’t make a defensive error and give up the kick because it is tough on a keeper.”
Crookston tried to get some shots on goal in the final 17 minutes, but they struggled getting coordinated attacks and Fergus Falls held on for a 2-1 victory.
Crookston drops to 2-8 on the year and will host Fergus Falls Hillcrest Academy on Tuesday.  Fergus Fall improves to 3-8 on the year.

Scoring
49:17 – FF – Jack Gerhardson
60:03 – Crox – Noah Kiel (Ben Brantner)
62:01 – FF – Titus Seland  (PK)