Park Center boys soccer faced district rivals Osseo in the latest edition of a historied border battle, tying 1-1 at home Sept. 26 to adjust their conference record to 2-5-4, 4-5-4 overall.
This edition of perhaps the most brotherly rivalry in the Northwest Suburban (NWSC) came with plenty of implications. The two teams have had history, and close ties, for years. In 2024, Osseo have been one of the NWSC’s top performers, entering last week unbeaten at 4-0-5. Park Center (2-5-2), meanwhile, have struggled at times in conference play.
With tensions and energy high from kick off, Thursday game was an exciting affair. The Pirates created early threats with Jaden Draves playing a physical game up front, while Johanso Camacho pulled strings centrally and Toby Arisere provided a dangerous pace from the left wing.
The Park Center defense had plenty to do too. Right back Adam Benjamin had his hands full with John Fallah. The remaining defenders, Victory Ademodi, Shanobi Vang, and Luis Vargas, were consistently tested but thrived in the first half with support from midfielders Titus Lee, Connor Yang, and Russell Yang.
A little patience paid off when Benjamin received the ball down the right touchline and rocketed a cross into the box. The ball, in theory headed for Tristan Vang, instead spun toward the crossbar, tricking the goalkeeper and sneaking under the bar and into the net to make it 1-0. Prince Noneu and Chris Quizhpi Gutierrez tested the keeper a few more times in the first half but Valentin Lira Luna did well to keep it a one-goal game and it remained that way at halftime. Osseo had played a nice game of soccer thus far, but Park Center had been far more effective.
Early drama in the second half saw Arisere sent off with a red card while making an injury substitution, which allowed Park Center to continue to play with 11 players. Benefiting from a strong shift defensively by Osseo’s Alieu Lamah, Freddy Cortez, and Forster Killen, the Orioles found their equalizer in the 50th minute through a Douglas Wagner free kick which was deflected into the net.
Both sides saw big chances saved or narrowly miss in the final 20 minutes, including headers for Osseo’s Fallah and Park Center’s Quizhpi Gutierrez, but Park Center goalkeeper Brandon Perez and his counterpart did well to prevent a lead.
The resulting 1-1 draw extended Park Center’s recent undefeated streak to four games. After a night of drama, the two teams shook hands, shared a few hugs, and returned to the neighborly, familial, club-team, and childhood friendships that bond the two squads.
Other results
Park Center played one other game last week, tying Elk River 1-1 on the road Sept. 24. The Pirates benefited from a long range golazo by captain Titus Lee to take a point from the game.
Park Center will play three games the following week to conclude the regular season, hosing Coon Rapids on Sept, 30, after this edition went to press. They will then travel to Blaine Wednesday, Oct. 2, and host St. Cloud Tech Saturday, Oct. 5.
Local News
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