The Crookston Pirate Boy’s Soccer team came into the final game of the regular season still looking for their first win of the season. Under the lights at East Grand Forks, they were able to pick up that first victory with a 1-0 win over the Green Wave. “This is a great momentum boost for us going into the playoffs,” said Pirates Coach Lon Boike. “It’s great to finally get that first win because we’ve been working so hard.
The Pirates were able to do something they have struggled to do this season, control the game. The Pirates were able to play the majority of the game on their offensive side of the field and control the pace of the game. “We probably played 75% of the game on our offensive side of the field and we were creating good opportunities,” explained Coach Boike. Crookston’s offense got consistent pressure on the Green Wave defense and put shots on goal, but were still struggling to find the back of the net. As the time was ticking towards 0:00 in the first half, Brannon Tangquist made one last run into the back and was taken down in the box to give the Pirates a penalty kick. Caden Boike who has been the Pirates goalie until recently took the kick. He was able to guide it into the bottom right corner to give the Pirates the 1-0 lead heading into the half. “Brannon got into the box late and was taken down and we chose Caden to take the kick and he put it into the lower corner,” explained Coach Boike. “That was huge for us going into the half.”
The second half was played much of the same way with Crookston controlling the possession on their offensive half of the field. “We had the wind at our back in the second half so that helped us even more,” added Coach Boike. Despite the offensive pressure, Crookston was unable to add onto their lead. Still, the defense of the Pirates played strong and erased any opportunities the Green Wave had. “Our defense was so strong today. Thor Harbott and Nathan Kelly were great and we got Evan Christensen back today and that was important,” explained Coach Boike. “Carter Trudeau and Blaine Andringa also did a nice job of helping out on defense and making plays.” The big play of the half came with about 10 minutes remaining in the second half when the Green Wave were taken down in the box and they got a penalty kick. Blake Melsa has only been the Pirates’ goalie for a couple of games, but he stepped up in the big spot and saved the penalty kick just to his left side to maintain the Pirates lead. “That was so big for Blake. He hasn’t played much back there this season and that’s a huge spot,” said Coach Boike. The Pirates used that momentum to hold off EGF the rest of the way and pick up their first win of the season.
The Pirates end their regular season with a 1-12 record. They will wait to see who they face in the playoffs. “It looks like we might be going to Pelican Rapids in a couple of Thursday’s, but we will see,” added Coach Boike.
East Grand will end their regular season with a record of 1-11.
| 1st | 2nd | Final | |
| CROOKSTON | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| East Grand Forks | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Scoring
39:54 – CROX- Caden Boike (Penalty Kick)
| SAVES | Final |
| Blake Melsa- CROX | 4 |
| Jonah Tollefson- EGF | 10 |
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