Crookston Pirates Girls Soccer shutout by Fergus Falls

The Crookston Pirates Girls’ soccer team couldn’t convert their scoring chances and the Fergus Falls Otters did to win 4-0 in a game played at KROX Radio Stadium in Crookston.

FIRST HALF –
Crookston had a great start to the game as they got a shot on goal 18 seconds into the game. Brooklyn Waldal won a race to the ball and had a breakaway, but the Otter goalkeeper stopped her kick. Crookston controlled play until Fergus Falls kicked the ball up the field, and Bella Rude won a race to the ball to set up a breakaway, and she blasted a kick into the net for a 1-0 lead, a little over four minutes into the game. Crookston continued to put pressure on Fergus Falls’ defense and had two more shots on goal. As the half progressed, Fergus Falls took control of the ball. With 18 minutes left in the half Fergu Falls had a shot on goal, but Crookston’s Kambree Wangen made a diving save. A few minutes later, Fergus Falls used their speed to get behind the Pirate defense and got a shot on goal. The rebound bounced out in front of the net and Abygehl Schuman kicked the rebound in for a 2-0 lead. Both teams had a couple of scoring opportunities, and Crookston had the best chance of the game as they had the ball in front of the net, and there wasn’t an Otter anywhere close, and a quick kick went wide right, and the score remained 2-0 going into halftime.

SECOND HALF –
Crookston’s defense in the second half was outstanding, with Maddi Knutson and Anna Heldstab leading the way. Fergus Falls controlled the ball most of the half and had several scoring opportunities, but seventh-grade goalkeeper Kamrbree Wangen made diving save after diving save to keep the deficit 2-0. Fergus Falls seemed to wear down the Pirates as the game went along, which proved to be true in the final 10 minutes. Fergus Falls tried a long pass, and a Crookston defender went to kick the ball and missed. It kept rolling down the field, and the Otters’ Bella Rude raced to the ball, had a breakaway, and kicked the ball in the net for a 3-0 lead. Fergus Falls kept the pressure on and the Otters took advantage of another Pirate defender miscue and Averie Ohren had a breakaway and scored for a 4-0 lead with three minutes left in the game and that is how the game would end, with Fergu Falls winning 4-0.

Crookston drops to 1-9 on the year and will travel to Hibbing on Saturday. (J.V. will play Mesabi East J.V. on Friday). Fergus Falls improves to 3-10 on the year.

Click below to listen to Coach Sarah Reese’s postgame comments-