The Crookston Pirate boy’s soccer team broke a four-game losing skid and defeated the Hillcrest Lutheran Academy Comets 3-0 on Tuesday afternoon in a match played at Fergus Falls.
FIRST HALF –
For just the second time all season, Crookston put the first goal on the board. Senior Jacob Miller scored 10 minutes in off of an assist from senior Noah Kiel, putting the Pirates ahead 1-0. The goal was Miller’s first of the season. “Noah had a great pass to set up that goal,” Crookston head coach Lon Boike said. “And Jacob got a header, which allowed us to score.” Hillcrest Academy tried to respond with four shots-on-goal in the first half, but none found the back of the net.
SECOND HALF –
Crookston continued to play solid defense down the stretch, and also had some of their best offensive rhythm of the season in the second half. Noah Kiel, who had all four of the Pirates’ goals through the first eight games, scored his fifth goal of the season 13 minutes into the second half, putting Crookston ahead 2-0. The goal was assisted by Jack Garmen, giving Garmen his first assist of the 2020 season. Kiel scored his second goal of the game later in the second half with about 20 minutes to go, putting the Pirates ahead 3-0 and giving Kiel six goals in his senior year. On defense, senior goalkeeper Kaleb Thingelstad kept Hillcrest Academy scoreless for the second time this season, finishing with eight total saves. “I thought our defense played really well, shutting (the Comets) out for a second time this year,” Coach Boike said. “I thought Jack Garmen played really well, getting that assist. Of course, great job by Kaleb, who earned his second shutout of the year!”
The Pirates, who improve to 2-7 on the season have now scored seven goals this season, with six of those coming against Hillcrest Academy, who falls to 0-7. Crookston will close out their regular season on Tuesday, October 6, when they host East Grand Forks. The game is set to start at 3:30 p.m.
| 1st | 2nd | Final | |
| CROOKSTON | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Fergus Falls Hillcrest | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Scoring –
10:00 – Crox – Jacob Miller (Noah Kiel)
53:00 – Crox – Noah Kiel (Jack Garmen)
60:00 – Crox – Noah Kiel
| Saves | 1st | 2nd | Final |
| Kaleb Thingelstad – Crox | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| Matthew Knutson – FFHC | 2 | 2 | 4 |
