The Crookston Pirate Boys Soccer team played a great defensive game and had several quality scoring chances, but they couldn’t find the net in a 1-0 loss to the Pelican Rapids Vikings in a Section 8A matchup in Pelican Rapids.
FIRST HALF –
Crookston started the game strong, and the teams battled back-and-forth in a tremendous effort by both teams. Crookston only managed four shots on goal, but three were quality scoring chances. For the first 20 minutes of the half, Crookston was putting a lot of pressure on the ball, and that was giving them some good scoring chances. “We were one-on-one, and the Pelican Rapids goalie made some nice saves,” said Coach Lon Boike. “We could have easily been up 3-0 at halftime.” Pelican Rapids started to pick up their passing game in the final 20 minutes of the second half. “They took care of the ball and are a very good passing team,” said Coach Boike. “Defensively we played a great half and the boys have been doing a super job.”
SECOND HALF –
The second half was similar to the first half. A lot of back-and-forth play with limited scoring chances until about halfway through the half. Pelican Rapids’ Tyler Porto snuck behind the Pirate defense and kicked the ball from about 20 yards out for a goal to give the Vikings a 1-0 lead. “He shot a rocket off his left foot,” said Coach Boike. “It kind of surprised us and it was a great shot to the upper left corner of the net. It was a nice goal with a good solid kick.”
Crookston had three quality scoring chances in the second half and had one breakaway that was kicked over the goal and two more kicks that the Viking goalie made the save. “We had some great scoring chances and couldn’t score for the second straight game,” said Coach Boike.
The game got intense as Crookston was trying to score to tie the game as Pelican Rapids was trying to keep the Pirates away from getting any kicks on goal, and the Vikings held on to win the game 1-0 in a great game. “It was a super game,” said Coach Boike. “Both teams played hard, and it was a good, clean game with both sides playing some great soccer. Unfortunately, we just came up a little short today.”
Crookston drops to 2-2 on the year and will host Melrose on Thursday at 4:00 p.m. Pelican Rapids improves to 4-2 on the year.
J.V. – Pelican Rapids won 2-1
| 1st | 2nd | Final | |
| Crookston | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Pelican Rapids | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Scoring –
20:21 – Pelican Rapids – Tyler Porto
| SAVES | 1 | 2 | Final |
| Reggie Winjum – Crox | 5 | 4 | 9 |
| Kenerth Carrasco – PR | 4 | 3 | 7 |
