(Graphic by Emma Boersma)

Coed soccer team loses by one goal in first and only playoff game

On Oct. 23, the coed soccer team lost to the Forest Lake Eagles 0-1 in their first and only playoff game.

According to coach Matt Vargo, a few minutes after the game started, the Eagles got a shot on goal; however, it was saved by goalie senior Nate Jakobs with a one-handed dive for the ball.

Toward the middle of the first half, junior Aaron Graves took a shot at the goal off a cross by freshman Arjin Claire. The kick almost scored a goal.

But by the end of the first half, the Eagles scored “a great shot in the upper corner of our goal,” according to junior Garrett Shonkwiler, thus bringing the score to 0-1.

Halfway through the second half, Jakobs was switched onto the field, with Graves replacing him as goalie.

With 15 minutes left for the game, Jakobs dribbled the ball, dodged the goalie and took a shot at the goal.

However, as the ball rolled into the goal, an Eagle slid and cleared the ball from the goal.

Toward the end of the game, Jakobs hit a header off a corner kick. The ball flew towards the goal but was cleared by an Eagle near the post. The final score was secured at 0-1.

“We had a lot of crosses and free kicks,” Vargo said. “They just had a good defense (and) cleared it every time.”

Shonkwiler said that, despite losing, the Cavs played very well in the game.

“In general, we played better than the other team,” Shonkwiler said. “Our hard work that we had put in during practices definitely showed in this game.”

Sophomore Lili Brush agreed with Shonkwiler.

“(Jakobs) did a really great job in goal, and he saved a bunch of balls,” Brush said. “The whole defense was doing really good at clearing balls and getting them up the field to the forwards.”

According to Vargo, six team members will be graduating this year.

“It’s hard to lose a good group of seniors, and we have six,” Vargo said. “It happens every year, and it’s just the nature of the beast. You come to this school for four years, and then you graduate.

“Everyone that’s left gets a little faster, stronger and more experienced. It allows for opportunities for other players to get more playing time.”

According to coach Matt Vargo, a few minutes after the game started, the Eagles got a shot on goal; however, it was saved by goalie senior Nate Jakobs with a one-handed dive for the ball.

Toward the middle of the first half, junior Aaron Graves took a shot at the goal off a cross by freshman Arjin Claire. The kick almost scored a goal.

But by the end of the first half, the Eagles scored “a great shot in the upper corner of our goal,” according to junior Garrett Shonkwiler, thus bringing the score to 0-1.

As the second half began, Jakobs was switched onto the field, with Graves replacing him as goalie.

Halfway through the second half, Jakobs dribbled the ball, dodged the goalie and took a shot at the goal.

However, as the ball rolled into the goal, an Eagle slid and cleared the ball from the goal.

Toward the end of the game, Jakobs hit a header off a corner kick. The ball flew towards the goal but was cleared by an Eagle near the post. The final score was secured at 0-1.

“We had a lot of crosses and free kicks,” Vargo said. “They just had a good defense (and) cleared it every time.”

Shonkwiler said that, despite losing, the Cavs played very well in the game.

“In general, we played better than the other team,” Shonkwiler said. “Our hard work that we had put in during practices definitely showed in this game.”

Sophomore Lili Brush agreed with Shonkwiler.

“(Jakobs) did a really great job in goal, and he saved a bunch of balls,” Brush said. “The whole defense was doing really good at clearing balls and getting them up the field to the forwards.”

Vargo said that although many seniors won’t be on the team next year, the soccer team will still be as good as it has been this year.

“It’s hard to lose a good group of seniors, and we have six,” Vargo said. “It happens every year, and it’s just the nature of the beast. You come to this school for four years, and then you graduate.

“Everyone that’s left gets a little faster, stronger and more experienced. It allows for opportunities for other players to get more playing time.”

—By Ming Zhu

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