The Crookston Pirate Boys Soccer team traveled to take on the Fergus Falls Otters Thursday night in the first round of the Section 8A Tournament. The two teams met back in September with the Otters getting the win 2-0. It took 45 seconds into the match for Fergus Falls to score, and they never looked back on their way to a 3-0 victory over the Pirates. “We were a little shell-shocked early,” said Pirates Boys Soccer coach Lon Boike. “I think after that initial goal we played pretty well tonight, just couldn’t get it done.”
FIRST HALF –
Just 45 seconds into the match Fergus Falls struck first on a throw-in that would be headed into the net for a 1-0 lead. “The kid had an incredible throw from the side and I think it surprised a few of our guys,” said coach Boike. I don’t think I’ve seen anyone throw the ball that well from out of bounce this year.” The Otters continued to apply pressure the entire half but Crookston goalkeeper Blake Mesla made a couple of brilliant saves to keep the deficit at 1-0. With less than two minutes remaining, Fergus Falls would be awarded a penalty kick. Melsa would make the initial save, but the rebound would deflect right to the Otters, who would put it into the back of the net for a 2-0 lead. The half still wasn’t quite over yet. With less than a minute left, Crookston would be given a Penalty Kick. Caden Boike would fire a rocket at the Otter’s goalkeeper that would initially be saved but then find the back of the net. However, the goalkeeper for the Otters didn’t have his feet placed where he was supposed to, which gave Boike a retry instead of the goal. “If the goalkeeper steps off the line it’s an automatic retry which is unfortunate for us because I would’ve loved to decline it and take the goal,” said coach Boike. Unfortunately for the Pirates, the second attempt would have a different result with no goal on an excellent save, and Fergus Falls would keep the Pirates off the scoreboard and take a 2-0 lead into the halftime break. The Otters outshot the Pirates 10-1 in the opening half.
SECOND HALF –
Crookston came out hustling as they tried to put some pressure on the Otters. It didn’t seem to work, as Fergus Falls would score another goal on a shot from just outside the box with 26 minutes remaining in the match and take a 3-0 lead. Crookston never got their offense rolling all night, and as the temperature got colder, it was harder for both teams to generate offense. The Pirates would get a decent look from Carter Trudeau late in the match, but Fergus Falls made the save, preserving the shutout, and would go on to win the match 3-0 ending the Pirate’s season. “I thought the guys played hard tonight and we did a lot of nice things,” said coach Boike. “Like I told the guys, we played hard and left it all out there so I’m really proud of them for that.”
Crookston ends their season with a final record of 5-10. “This was such a fun group of guys so it’s going to be tough to see them leave, but we also have a lot of nice pieces coming back next year so I’m looking forward to next fall.” Fergus Falls improves to 6-9-1 and will now play in the Section 8A semifinals on Saturday against Fergus Falls Hillcrest Academy.
1st 2nd Final
CROOKSTON 0 0 0
Fergus Falls 2 1 3
SCORING –
0:45 – FF – Aiden Shern
38:37 – FF – Jose Rodriguez (PK)
54:19 – FF – Joseph Johnson
SAVES 1st 2nd Final
Blake Melsa – Crox 8 6 14
Jaydon Manteufel – FF 1 2 3
