Crookston Pirate Boys Soccer ties Pelican Rapids

The Crookston Pirates boys soccer team had some great defensive play and big saves from goalkeeper Reggie Winjum on its way to a 1-1 tie with the Pelican Rapids Vikings in a Section 8A game played at KROX Radio Stadium.

FIRST HALF –
The game quickly proved to be a defensive battle. Both sides recorded a yellow card within the first five minutes. Neither team recorded a shot on goal until 15 minutes into the first half, when the Vikings broke through the defensive line for the Pirates. Carlos Moreno pushed the ball forward to Sidiiq Farah, who redirected a shot on goal. Reggie Winjum made an easy stop. After another bout of defensive blows, a long, winding shot from Irvin Villagomez was heading over the bar, but Crookston’s Reggie Winjum made a leaping save. In the 38th minute, Crookston moved the ball quickly down the field and was rewarded with a corner kick. The kick came in long and high. Gunnar Groven backpedaled to get his foot on the ball, redirecting it towards the net. The Pirates’ Tony Elbinger redirected it with his head, and it went into the net for the first score of the game, with seven minutes to go in the half. Crookston gained some life from the goal, surging forward for another offensive rush. A kick from Jay Reese went wide, and the Vikings battled the Pirates out to the end of the half, with a score of 1-0 for Crookston.

SECOND HALF –
Starting out the second, Jay Reese earned a takeaway within the first three minutes. As he hit the turf, he went down to the seat of his pants, spinning around with the ball inbetween his legs before passing it forward for a Pirates drive. After some back and forth, Sidiiq Farah broke through the line and took the ball outwide. He put on the breaks, before shooting the ball towards the net. Reggie Winjum dove for the ball, knocking it down and stopping the Vikings short. The Vikings got another chance quickly after, with Winjum once again stopping the Vikings from tying. Crookston couldn’t find their footing, and allowed the Vikings to get another chance at the goal. In the 66th minute, Irvin Villagomez took the ball away from the Pirates, and set himself up with space at the top of the goaltender’s box. He drove the ball to the upper-left hand corner, with no chance for Winjum to make the save, and tied the game at 1-1. With time running out on the clock, the Vikings had a pair of corner kicks. Both times, Crookston’s Nolan Cassavant got himself into the passing lane to break up the play, and Reggie Winjum quickly picked the ball up to stop the rush from the Vikings. Crookston would not get another offensive chance until the final seven minutes. Jay Reese pushed the ball forward, but his shot went wide. The Pirates and Vikings traded scoring opportunities in a hectic final few minutes of the game and neither team scored for a 1-1 tie.

Crookston is now 0-3-1 on the year and host Grand Forks Central on Friday, September 12th. Pelican Rapids is 4-1-1 on the year.
J.V. Pelican Rapids won 2-0.

Head Coach Lon Boike’s comments are below: