For the second time this week, the Hillcrest Lutheran Academy Boys Soccer team saw their game scoreless at the end of regulation and required overtime in section final matchups. Crookston on Thursday and Pelican Rapids on Saturday. Both games ended with 1-0 Comet victories.
On Saturday, the Comets and the Vikings played scoreless for 80 minutes of regulation. The Comets had a great chance when Senior Captain, Abram Ness was awarded a PK two thirds of the way into the second half. Abram’s attempt was blocked by PRHS Keeper, Ivan Franco.
During the first half of OT, the Comets were awarded a “drop ball” outside the PRHS eighteen after a Viking player was injured. Senior TJ Idudu placed a hard kicked ball towards the goal which was deflected by a Viking defenseman’s head and keeper Franco’s hands. (you are not allowed to score off a drop ball unless touched by another player).
Comet Keeper freshman Franki Renner gained his fifth shutout this year stopping two shots on net, largely due to excellent midfield and back defensive efforts. The Comets controlled the game offensively and had good creation but were not able to find the back of the net with seven shots on goal.
“I am very proud of our team! PRHS was tough, skilled, and physical… The Comets saw excellent defensive efforts from Lincoln Nash, Senior Captain Matthew Knutson, Drew Fischer, Otavio Roseira, Senior Captain, Noah Bjorndahl, Caleb Holm, Senior, Max Anderson, and Kian Stender (place kicker specialist from the backfield.)”
The Comets now 11-6-1 on the season face the number one ranked Class A school in Minnesota, St. Cloud Cathedral, on Tuesday in Sauk Centre. The Crusaders won the South Sub-Section title with a 5-1 win over Melrose Area on Saturday.