The Thunderhawks boys and girls soccer teams both remain undefeated following the first weekend of the season. Each team played two games in consecutive days, and Grand Rapids has yet to lose..
The boys opened their season in Moorhead, playing to a 1-1 tie with the Spuds in the first game.
Tadi Taguta connected with Dean Koretekaas to put Grand Rapids up 1-0 on the road. Grand Rapids was feeling the momentum after the goal, says boys’ varsity coach Nick Koerbitz, but Moorhead wouldn’t let them strike again.
“We went up 1-0 and had a few grade-A chances to go up by two and put it away. Inside 20 minutes left, we got too passive going forward and let Moorhead control the ball and the attack,” he said.
Although Rapids would not find the back of the net again against the Spuds, Koerbitz liked the effort he saw from his group after match number one.
“It was a great first game, and I couldn't be happier about the efforts and attitudes we displayed,” says Koerbitz as the team had a quick turnaround in Pelican Rapids the next day - a game that started and ended with Tadi Taguta.
Taguta opened the scoring 23 minutes in to put Grand Rapids up 1-0 with an assist from Branik Adams.
Pelican Rapids would strike quickly after halftime, tying the game 1-1 seven minutes into the second half. But it was Taguta once again in the 73rd minute, scoring the game-winner assisted by Luke Palacek. The Thunderhawks would hold off the VIkings the rest of the way, securing a 2-1 win and earning the approval of their head coach.
“Our work rate all weekend was great, especially against Moorhead. Tadi was a catalyst all weekend, and we really relied on him against Pelican Rapids when we were completely exhausted.”
Although Taguta is the first star of the game against Pelican Rapids, it was the team’s defense that kept them clear of the loser’s column through two games.
“Our back line was very organized all weekend. It's an experienced group on the back line, and they showed great composure all weekend,” said Koerbitz. “
“Our keeper, Evan Linnell was solid as usual,” he added.
“While we had great moments on both ends of the field, we weren't great in the flow of the game connecting the two. We were very disconnected moving together up and down the field, and that'll be the focus going into this week,” he said.”
While the boys team was on the road last Thursday and Friday, the girls squad remained in Grand Rapids, protecting their home turf at Noble Hall Field with two wins to open their year.
The girls played shutout soccer all weekend, securing two 1-0 victories in the blistering heat.
They took down rival Duluth Denfeld in game one Friday after senior Jada Morgan finished off a beautiful cross from the right sideline by Ava Limberg 15 minutes in. The Hunters were not allowing many opportunities for Rapids on offense, but the cross into the box from that side of the field is something the team was working on that week in practice.
“I think that we put the work in during practice and it showed in the game,” said head coach Brooke Moses. “Jada made a great run and was in the right position and Ava's cross was perfect. I'm really happy for Jada to start her senior year off with a goal to win the game.”
Grand Rapids came out victorious despite the heat and Denfeld doing all they could to keep the Thunderhawks out of the back of the net.
Moses said after the game, “So proud of the entire team of working hard through the heat and first game jitters. They came together and pulled out the Win!”
They would do the same the following day, once again under the scorching heat on Noble Hall Field.
The Thunderhawks welcomed North Branch to town after the Vikings tied Hermantown two days before.
Grand Rapids wouldn’t allow North Branch the chance in this game though, after the Thunderhawks secured another 1-0 home Saturday. The game-winner came from senior Ryan Martinson out of the midfield in the first half, when she cleaned up a rebound for the goal. They would lock-down on defense and send North Branch home empty-handed.
UP NEXT: The Thunderhawks boys play their first home game of the year Tuesday night against Proctor. The girls remain at home, and welcome Two Harbors to Noble Hall Field on Wednesday.
Most Popular
Comments / 0