Crookston Pirate Boys Soccer shut out by Fergus Falls Hillcrest Academy in Section 8A Tourney

The Crookston Pirates boys’ soccer team gave up a goal 3:31 into the game and that is all the Fergus Falls Hillcrest Academy Comets would need as they picked up a 2-0 victory in the Section 8A Boys Soccer tournament quarterfinals played in Fergus Falls.

FIRST HALF –
Hillcrest Academy had a great start to the game, immediately putting pressure on the Pirate defense. The Comets got the ball to Zane Holmquist, who kicked it from about 35 yards out. It bounced over the Pirate keeper and into the goal for a 1-0 lead 3:31 into the game. It was the first shot on goal for Hillcrest Academy.
Hillcrest Academy continued to dominate the entire half, peppering the Crookston goal with 12 more shots, but Reggie Winjum was able to make the save each time. Crookston’s offense wasn’t able to muster a shot on goal, with the only real shot sailing wide right by about 20 yards. Hillcrest took a 1-0 lead into halftime.

SECOND HALF –
Crookston had a better start to the second half as they got a shot on goal in the first five minutes of the half and put pressure on the Hillcrest defense. Crookston’s pressure didn’t last long as Hillcrest started to control play and got a shot on goal about 10 minutes into the half, and Crookston’s Winjum made the save. A little over halfway through the half, Winjum made a diving save to keep the game at a 1-0 score. Hillcrest had the ball in the box and a kick towards the goal, hitting a Pirate defender. A handball was called, and since it hit a Pirate in the box, Hillcrest was awarded a penalty shot. Hillcrest’s Marco Salazar took the penalty shot and snuck it into the left of the net for a 2-0 Comet lead with 15:43 left in the game.
Seven minutes later, Hillcrest had another quality scoring opportunity with a shot on goal, and Winjum made another diving save. With under five minutes left in the game, Crookston’s Makoti Weber blasted a shot on goal from inside midfield, but the Hillcrest keeper made the save. Crookston wasn’t able to get another shot on goal, and Hillcrest won the game 2-0.

Crookston’s season ends with a 4-8-2 record, and they say goodbye to 13 seniors. The seniors are Ryker Arnold, Jace Bruggeman, Nolan Cassavant, Tony Elbinger, Carter Fee, Gunnar Groven, Ian Olslund, Jay Reese, Makoti Weber, Sam Widseth, Peter Wiersma, Reggie Winjum, and Cade Wisk.

Click below to listen to Coach Lon Boike’s postgame comments-