Crookston Pirate Boys Soccer beats Mesabi East

The Crookston Pirate Boys Soccer team used two Matthew Contreras second-half penalty kick goals to beat the Mesabi East Giants 2-1 on Parents Day at KROX Radio Stadium in Crookston.

FIRST HALF –
The first half was an evenly played back-and-forth battle. Nobody had a lot of quality scoring chances until Mesabi East had a throw-in with just over 10 minutes remaining in the half and had a beautiful pass up to Collin Steele, and he placed a perfect kick into the left side of the net for a 1-0 lead. Crookston picked up the offense in the last few minutes and had a shot on goal with 1:35 left in the half but the Giant goalie made the save. Mesabi East took a 1-0 lead into halftime. “I thought we matched up well with them, but we were standing around a lot in the first half,” said Pirate Coach Lon Boike. “I thought overall we played well, they took advantage of the one chance they had and give them credit on a nice play.”

SECOND HALF –
Crookston came out strong in the second half as they started putting more pressure on the Mesabi East defense, and it showed. Crookston’s Matthew Contreras was taken down in the box and was awarded a penalty kick 9:24 into the half and kicked it into the left side of the net to tie the game at 1-1. “We were getting after it more and had more opportunities and moving to the ball instead of watching it,” said Coach Boike. “That was big. Matthew has been solid for us, and he did an outstanding job of burying that thing.”
Crookston continued to pressure Mesabi East with a throw-in by Carter Fee led Contreras, and he caught up with the ball and was taken down at the top of the box for another penalty kick eight minutes after the first one. Contreras blasted a kick into the net, and the Pirates led 2-1 on two penalty kick goals. “We tell the kids if you are moving, good things are going to happen,” said Coach Boike. “Matthew was moving and did a great job again burying it again.”
Crookston continued to pressure the Giant defense, and a Pirate had the ball in front of the goal, tried to get a quick shot on goal, and just missed to the right of the goal. Crookston went into defensive mode in the final five minutes as Mesabi East picked up the offensive pressure. They were able to get two good shots on goal, but Crookston goalie Reggie Winjum made two tough saves. Crookston was able to clear the ball down the field in the final minute and held on to win the game 2-1. “Most of the second half, we did a great job defensively, and Reggie did a great job in goal,” said Coach Boike. “Credit to the guys as they worked hard to get the win.”

Crookston improves to 8-4 on the year and will host East Grand Forks at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday. Mesabi East drops to 2-12-1 on the year.

	1st	2nd	Final
Mesabi East	1	0	1
Crookston	0	2	2

Scoring –
29:58 – Mesabi East – Collin Steele
50:36 – Crookston – Matthew Contreras (Penalty Kick)
58:53 – Crookston – Matthew Contreras (Penalty Kick)