sports

CROOKSTON GIRLS SOCCER EDGES WALKER-H-A

September 28, 2021

The Crookston Pirate Girl’s Soccer team has been without up to eight players at times over the past few weeks, but have continued to playing winning soccer. That continued on Tuesday when they completed the season sweep of the Walker-Hackensack-Akeley Wolves with another hard-fought 2-1 victory in Walker for a big section win. “That’s a huge section win for us,” said Pirates Head Coach Sarah Reese. “We are still down some girls, but it was a huge team effort and I am proud of the girls.”

The first half was a defensive struggle with both sides playing good preventative defense. Crookston only let up one shot on goal in the first 40 minutes and the shot was saved by Tessa Weber. The Wolves gave up just two shots on goal, both of which were saved by Brooke Vinkemeier. With it being a rematch, both sides knew what the other wanted to do on the offensive side of the field and the Wolves were ready for Crookston’s attack. “They took away our outside passing lanes and we weren’t recognizing it right away,” said Coach Reese. The Pirates had many opportunities from corner kicks, yet they could not find a way to finish off one of the 13 corners they had. “Olivia Huck took 13 corner kicks and we, unfortunately, did not find the back of the net on any of those. Those are an opportune time to capitalize and get some goals,” added Coach Reese. Still, the defenses held strong and they entered the break tied at 0-0.

The offenses were finally able to break through in the second half. Crookston got the first goal of the game seven minutes into the half when Kailee Magsam received a pass from Nashalie Tellez at the right side on the top of the goal box and found the back of the net for a 1-0 lead. “Kailee is coming off of an injury and she played phenomenal,” said Coach Reese. “She had zest and was constantly making first touches and playmaking.” The Wolves got their first goal of the season against the Pirates seven minutes later from Gabby Cairns to tie the game. Walker-Hackensack-Akeley had to bring in a new goalie 12 minutes into the half due to a nagging medical issue that hasn’t been fully resolved and the Pirates took advantage. They grabbed back the lead in the 63rd minute on a goal from Cassie Solheim. “She was able to get an opening at the top of the box and she quickly pulled back, turned and shot,” explained Coach Reese. The experienced defense for the Pirates held strong the rest of the way, protecting the one goal lead. “Aleah Bienek, Olivia Huck, and Dillynn and JoJo Wallace kept us in the game… they were really rock solid,” added Coach Reese.

The Pirates jump their record to over .500 for the first time this season as 6-5-1. They will look to keep the good play going this weekend at Hibbing on Friday and Mesabi East on Saturday.
Walker-Hackensack-Akeley are now 5-5-1 this season.