GIRLS SOCCERGirls Soccer - Section Playoffs Bemidji 2 / Alex 1 (Shootout)
#2 seed Cards were hosting #3 seed Bemidji in the semis of the north sub section. Bemidji came in as two time section champs ready to battle. In the second minute of the game, Bemidji had a long throw in deep in the offensive end. The throw was heaved all the way into the penalty area and Bemidji’s Lindsey Hildenbrandt ran in unmarked to score from 6 yards out on the ball that wasn’t cleared. Alex GK Sophia Vinje held the lumberjacks scoreless the rest of the half, with her best save of the half coming off a Bemidji free kick, which required a diving save to Sophia’s right. With less than two minutes remaining in the half, Shea Issendorf took a free kick from midfield. Anna Zwilling put a head on it to knock it past the Bemidji defenders. Emma Reineke ran onto the ball and tied the game up with her shot from 8 yards out.
After the second half and two 10 minute sudden death periods, the game was still tied at one each. Bemidji pressured offensively through most of the game. Defenders Myah Kremer and Allie Randazzo never left the game – including 20 minutes of OT, and along with Sophia’s efforts in goal, were a big part of keeping Bemidji from scoring more.
Shoot out: Bemidji 4 / Alex 3. Molly Panther, Kylee James, and Myah Kremer were successful in their shoot out attempts, but still the team came up short in a heart breaking finish.
GK saves on the night: Sophia Vinje 20 / Bemidji’s Abby Keison 9
This season players and coaches alike approached the season with the goal to do it right – whether it was how we practiced, how we came to games, or how we worked and grew together as a team. Our seniors were leaders in this effort. They were instrumental in our ability to create a climate of respect and appreciation for teammates and brought intensity, a competitive spirit, and fun to the field every day. We knew if we did everything right to the best of our ability, we would have a chance to win in playoffs. We also knew if we did everything right and our season should painfully come to an end sooner than we would want, we could walk from the season proud of our efforts. Unfortunately, 8 seniors are feeling pain and hopefully a sense of pride. I know the underclassman have learned a lot from them, but personally, at this time, I cannot imagine a Cardinal Team without them on it. Those seniors are: Camille Hegstad, Shea Issendorf, Anna Zwilling, Hallee Anderson, Sidney Drew, Hailey Eggebraaten, Hadlee Hanson, and Summer Gerhardt.
BOYS SOCCER
Alexandria 3 - 2 Pelican Rapids
The Cardinal Boys' Soccer team travelled to Fergus Falls on Monday evening to take on the #2 seed Pelican Rapids Vikings in an 8A North Quarterfinal match. The Cardinals knew this was a game we've been looking for the entire season, not so much the opponent, but the focus on getting past the quarter-final round. The last time this was accomplished was in 2015. On Monday night, they did it.
The determined Cardinals accomplished their first objective, allowing zero goals against in the first 10 minutes of play. Objective one was completed. Good play balanced most of the first half. The Cardinals kept focus while the Pelican Rapids team maintain most of the possession during the first half. In the 30th minute of play off an incredible volley, Captain Jacob Partington crushed a goal assist coming from Thomas Klecker. In the 38th minute, the Vikings were able to score a nice cross ball. This left the half at 1-1. Not looking to back down, the Cardinals went into the second half focused on possession and shots! The team's focus and determination paid off. In the 56th minute, Captain Joshua Kietzmann was able to score on a near post poke coming from a nice cross ball from Graham Peterson. Again in the 59th minute, Captain Joshua Kietzmann secured his second goal while beating two Viking defenders with the assist from Lucas Harstad. This had the Cardinals up 3-1 and only 21 minutes left. In the 61st minute of play a penalty kick was awarded to Pelican Rapids for a supposed push in the penalty area. The Vikings were able to convert, putting the score at 3-2. The final 19 minutes had the Cardinals on good possession and smart play to control the game clock and lead the Cardinals to victory and accomplishing another team goal of going beyond the Section Quarterfinals.
Cardinal Possession: 44.0%
Cardinal Shots on Goal: 14
Cardinal Keepers: Ryan Meuwissen took 16 shots in 76 minutes of play. Jackson Jahnke took 1 shots in the final 4 minutes of play.
The Cardinal Boys' Soccer team is currently 9-8-1 on the season. We will travel to Bemidji tomorrow for the 8A Sub-Section Final. Kick off is scheduled for 7pm at Bemidji State University.
FOOTBALL -
here is the link to the stats for the Sartell football game
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=2&ik=24c46997cc&attid=0.1&permmsgid=msg-f:1647468718076477798&th=16dcfc1207844166&view=att&disp=inline&realattid=f_k1rx985a0
