The Crookston Pirate Girls Soccer team dominated most of the game and Cassie Solheim added two goals to beat Fergus Falls Hillcrest Academy 2-0 at the Crookston High School Soccer Field.
FIRST HALF –
Crookston started the game strong and dominated play as they had continual pressure, and that early pressure paid off when they had a corner kick just over four minutes into the game. Madeline Harbott had a perfect kick in front of the net, and Cassie Solheim got the ball and kicked it past the Hillcrest goalie for a 1-0 lead. Solheim has scored all three goals for the Pirates so far this season.
Crookston continued to control play and had several opportunities to add to the lead, but the Hillcrest goalie came up with several saves to keep the Pirate lead at 1-0.
Hillcrest had their first high-grade scoring opportunity when they had a free kick 18 minutes into the half, but Reese Swanson came up with the save to keep Crookston in front. Crookston continued to pressure the Hillcrest defense and had a shot on goal with less than 14 minutes left in the half, but the goalie made another save. Crookston had a corner kick about two minutes later, but they couldn’t convert. The Pirates had a shot that hit the crossbar and another attempt that went wide in the final minutes of the half, and they took a 1-0 lead into halftime.
SECOND HALF –
Crookston continued their domination in the second half as Cassie Solheim had several scoring opportunities. Still, she was met with several defenders, keeping a close watch every time she touched the ball. Crookston had a handful of opportunities through the first 20 minutes of the half, but the Hillcrest goalie continued her stellar play in net.
With 14 minutes left in the game, Solheim put a shot on goal from about 20 yards out, and the save was made but the ball bounced in front of the net, but the Pirates couldn’t get to the ball, and the secondary save was made. A few seconds later, the Pirates had another shot, and the ball bounced in the air, and Crookston was called for a handball.
With less than 10 minutes left in the match, Hillcrest had their best scoring chance with a shot on goal, but the Pirates Swanson made a sliding save to get the loose ball before the Hillcrest attacker could kick it in.
Crookston added a huge insurance goal when Solheim had the ball from about 20 yards out and found the back of the net for a 2-0 lead with less than four minutes left in the match.
Crookston held on to win by a 2-0 score to pick up the first win of the season. Solheim has scored all five of Crookston’s goals this season.
Crookston improves to 1-1-1 on the year and will travel to Detroit Lakes on Thursday, September 7.
FOR COACH SARAH REESE’S COMMENTS, CLICK BELOW
| 1st | 2nd | Final | |
| FF Hillcrest | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Crookston | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Scoring –
4:21 – Crox – Cassie Solheim (Madeline Harbott)
56:28 – Crox – Cassie Solheim
| SAVES | 1 | 2 | Final |
| Reese Swanson – Crox | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Maggie Mark – HC | 3 | 8 | 11 |
