The Crookston Pirate Boys Soccer team had several shots on goal throughout the game, but couldn’t find the net as the Fergus Falls Hillcrest Comets came away with a 1-0 victory in a Section 8A matchup played in Fergus Falls.
FIRST HALF –
Crookston had a strong wind at their back in the first half, and that seemed to help at times and hamper them at times as the wind was a little bit of a cross-wind, and that caused some issues for both teams. “The wind really affected the game today,” said Pirate Coach Lon Boike. :It seemed like the play was on one side of the field the entire game because of the wind.”
The play was about 50/50 for the first 20 minutes of the half. Neither team had a quality shot on goal until the 20th minute, as Crookston started to get sustained pressure. The wind took any shot Hillcrest took and would sail over the net or wide right because of the cross-wind. Crookston finally got the first quality shot on goal from 20 yards out, but the Hillcrest goalie made the save. With 13 minutes left in the half, Crookston had a breakdown on defense, and Hillcrest kept a kick on goal low to the ground, and it rolled to the left of the net by a foot, and the game was still scoreless.
Crookston continued to battle and ended the final minutes of the half on an offensive flurry. With less than two minutes remaining, Crookston’s Michael Bochow took a shot from about 15 yards out. The ball was going towards the top of the net, but the Hillcrest goalie leaped in the air and topped it up and over the net. Crookston had a corner kick, and there was a scramble in front of the net. A Hillcrest player tried to clear the ball, but it rolled back towards his own net, and the Comet goalie made a diving save, and the teams were scoreless going into halftime.”It seemed like we were a little slow, especially in the first half,” said Coach Boike. “We had some good looks, but nothing great in the half.”
SECOND HALF –
Crookston was going into the strong wind/cross-wind in the second half, but that didn’t seem to slow them down. In the first couple of minutes, they had a shot on, and a few minutes later, they had another quality shot on goal, but the Hillcrest goalie was able to make saves on both shots. “We came out strong to start the half,” said Coach Boike. “It was good to see the guys come up strong.” The teams were even for the next 20 minutes, and with just over 15 minutes left in the game, somebody finally broke the scoreless tie. Hillcrest was able to get a long pass, with the wind at their back, up to an attacker, and Zane Holmquist got behind a Pirate defender for a breakaway. He was coming in on the right side of the net and kicked a perfect shot into the left side of the net for a 1-0 lead with 15:20 remaining. “They got a guy behind us and he was able to score,” said Coach Boike. “It was unfortunate, but the kid had a great play and kick.”
Hillcrest continued to pressure the Pirate defense. A Hillcrest player whiffed on a kick, only to have a teammate get the loose ball and kick it toward the top of the net. Crookston’s Reggie Winjum made a leaping save to tap the ball up and over the net to keep the Hillcrest lead at 1-0.
Crookston tried to answer and had a shot on goal, but the Hillcrest was able to make two saves. The Pirates continued to battle the wind as they got into the Hillcrest defensive zone several times, but each time, the Comets were able to kick the ball down the field to push them back. With about five minutes left, a Hillcrest player was injured, and it gave both teams a much-needed break as the game was a good, clean, hard-fought battle back and forth the entire game.
Crookston tried to rally in the final minutes but couldn’t get the ball past midfield, and Hillcrest held on for a 1-0 victory. “They loaded up the middle. “I thought we played well, but we weren’t able to get any really good scoring chances,” said Coach Boike. “They packed the middle on the defensive end, and that caused us some problems. It was a good game, and I give credit to Hillcrest for taking advantage of their opportunities.”
Crookston drops to 6-3 on the year and will host Grand Forks Central on Monday. Fergus Falls Hillcrest improves to 5-5 on the year.
J.V. – Crookston won 2-0
1st | 2nd | Final | |
Crookston | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Fergus Falls Hillcrest | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Scoring –
64:40 – FFHC – Zane Holmquist
SAVES | 1 | 2 | Final |
Reggie Winjum – Crookston | 3 | 5 | 8 |
– FFHC | 7 | 3 | 10 |











