The Crookston Pirate Girls Soccer team kicked off the 2023 season with an exciting back-and-forth match against the Fergus Falls Otters that ended with a 2-2 draw at the Crookston High School soccer field.
FIRST HALF –
The first 10 minutes of the match saw Fergus Falls have most of the possession but could not convert that into a scoring opportunity. Crookston had the first opportunity 15 minutes into the match with a free kick, but it went over the net. Fergus Falls then had the next two chances, but a pass in front of the net at 18 minutes and a corner kick at 27 minutes both went wide.
Crookston finished the first half strong with the majority of the possession, but could not capitalize on several chances, and they went to halftime tied 0-0.
SECOND HALF –
Fergus Falls came out strong in the second half as Brynn Walter buried a shot in the top left corner to give Fergus Falls the 1-0 lead. Crookston would quickly respond with pressure in Fergus Falls’ zone, but could not capitalize on a free kick. Fergus Falls started to gain momentum as they had shot attempts at the 49th and 51st minutes.
Crookston needed a big play, and they got it as Reese Swanson punted it to Cassie Solheim, who took it at around midfield and then dribbled it all the way to the corner of the box and launched a laser right into the top left corner of the net to put Crookston on the board and tie the game at 1-1.
After Fergus responded with a shot in the 57th minute, the next ten minutes saw sparse opportunities for either team, with Fergus Falls having the edge in overall possession. Crookston and Fergus traded shot attempts in the 69th and 71st minutes before Madi Budke scored in the 76th minute to give Fergus Falls the 2-1 lead.
It looked grim for Crookston, but with 81 seconds to go, Cassie Solhiem came up clutch again with a beautiful goal on a free kick to tie up the game and preserve the 2-2 draw for Crookston.
Both Crookston and Fergus Falls start the year 0-0-1. Crookston will host St John’s Prep on Monday.
FOR PIRATES COACH SARAH REESE’S COMMENTS, CLICK BELOW
| 1st | 2nd | Final | |
| Fergus Falls | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| CROOKSTON | 0 | 2 | 2 |
Scoring –
44:11 – Fergus Falls – Brynn Walter
53:51 – Crox – Cassie Solhiem (Reese Swanson)
76:46 – Fergus Falls – Madi Budke
78:39 – Crox – Cassie Solhiem
| SAVES | 1 | 2 | Final |
| Reese Swanson – Crox | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| FF | 1 | 0 | 1 |
