The Crookston Pirates Girl’s Soccer team fought hard, but ultimately came up short in a 1-0 loss to Fergus Falls Hillcrest Lutheran Academy in Fergus Falls. “Most of the play was in the middle third (of the pitch),” Crookston head coach Sarah Reese said. “We just weren’t able to finish. (Hillcrest Academy) had a great sweeper. We did make some nice steps defensively, taking away time and space.”
FIRST HALF –
The first 20 minutes of the first half were competitive, and Crookston was getting to most of the loose balls. The Pirates used their speed and athleticism to get to loose balls, but time in the attack area was about even. Crookston had the best chance at the first goal with about 18 minutes left in the first half when Cassie Solheim got the ball and had an open net after she got around the Hillcrest goalkeeper, but the kick went wide left and the teams remained scoreless. About five minutes later, Hillcrest had a quality scoring chance, but Crookston goalkeeper Reese Swanson made the save to keep the game scoreless. Hillcrest had a couple more scoring chances in the final 10 minutes of the half, but Crookston’s Swanson came up with some nice saves and the two teams were locked in with a scoreless tie going into halftime. “Rylee Solheim played great defense in their space, and that reduced their opportunities,” Coach Reese added. “JoJo Wallace also took some nice steps defensively, taking away time and space.”
SECOND HALF –
Hillcrest started the second half strong. Just over 12 minutes into the second half, Taylor Kiss scored the first goal of the game to give Fergus Falls Hillcrest a 1-0 lead. “The goal was deep in the corner, and the wind took it top shelf” Reese said. Crookston had a shot-on-goal in the final minutes, but it went off the side of the goalpost. “We switched to three forwards in the last eight minutes, but we were unlucky,” Reese said. “We didn’t have enough urgency and ‘oomf’ at the end. Clara Meyer did have some good ball control and distribution in the middle of the pitch offensively.”
Crookston drops to 1-1 on the year and will host Detroit Lakes at 3:30 p.m. Thursday.
J.V. – Hillcrest won 3-1 (Reese Swanson scored the Pirate goal)
| 1st | 2nd | Final | |
| CROOKSTON | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Hillcrest Academy | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Scoring
52:30 – FFHA – Taylor Kiss (Emma Abrahamsen)
| Saves | 1st | 2nd | Total |
| Reese Swanson – Crookston | 9 | 10 | 19 |
| Emma Marfell – Hillcrest | 5 | 4 | 9 |
