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Class A soccer in Minnesota is potentially the most population diverse sport in the state. Take, for example, tonight's match-up. Pelican Rapids High School is the smallest public school in MN with a soccer program and has a 10th-12th grade enrollment listed on the MSHSL website of 209 students. Tonight, they faced off against the fourth largest school in Class A soccer, the Bemidji Lumberjacks, with a 10th-12th grade enrollment of 1,216 students. Roughly half of the population of the city of Pelican Rapids would be the equivalent of the opponent's High School.
Additionally, in five previous meetings between the two teams, the Lumberjacks have won all contests, outscoring the Vikings 21-1 over the five matches, including a 7-0 beating of the Vikings last season. Regardless of all these pre-game metrics, Pelican Rapids was not afraid ahead of the match.
"The boys knew that all the stats say that we should think we don't stand a chance, but our rallying cry this season has been 'We are from Pelican!' and it unites us with the idea that we are from the best town that has the best people and the best school and the best program and because of this, school size or previous experiences don't matter," said Head Coach John Peter after the match.
The game, which was originally scheduled for Tuesday at Brown Field in Pelican Rapids, was moved to the neutral site of Alexandria's Viking Bank Stadium because Alexandria's artificial turf is more easily cleaned off after the snow.
The game was a tactical affair throughout the night with teams taking chances. Late in the first half, Jesus Moreno had what seemed like a sure goal, saved by the Lumberjack goalkeeper and the match entered halftime tied at zero.
In the second half, the Lumberjacks had the bulk of the chances but couldn't convert and goalkeeper Sebastian Rosiles came up with some big saves. With twenty minutes to play Oscar Pedroza was injured and would not return. This left the Vikings without a true Central defender (usually teams have two) given that Rosiles has been forced to play goalkeeper since Homecoming weekend and Pedroza was now out. So, two midfielders, Sebastian Centeno and freshman Khadar Aden, moved back to the roles as the Vikings changed their shape to look to counter Bemidji's chances.
With nine minutes remaining, Khadar Ibrahim was able to get loose on a counterattack and he found Jesus Moreno slicing thru on the outside. Moreno put the ball into the top of the net and put the Vikings ahead 1-0. For the remainder of the match, the Vikings were able to keep the Lumberjacks under control and held on for victory.
The Vikings are now 10-2 this season and will play in the Section final against another big school, defending Section Champion, St. Cloud Tech. The game will be played on Saturday at noon and will again be in Alexandria.