Spartans lose heartbreaker to Holmen

On Tuesday night the Spartans hosted the Holmen Vikings in the first round of regional WIAA playoff action.  It was cold, it was windy, and it was a heartbreaker.  Holmen struck first after controlling much of the opening minutes of play.  The Vikings strung together consecutive passes and finished with a nice shot to the corner of the goal for a 1-0 lead in the 16th minute.  It took awhile for Superior to get going, eventually earning a corner kick just before halftime.  Junior Chase Danielson connected with junior Spencer Kidd to tie the game in the 38th minute.  It was Kidd's team leading 29th goal of the season.

In the second half, the Vikings continued to control the pace and possession.  Eventually Holmen won a loose ball in the box that was crossed into the goal area and headed home for a 2-1 lead less than 10 minutes into the second half.  The Spartans just couldn't get anything going.  It wasn't until the last 5-10 minutes that Superior pushed forward some opportunities near the Holmen goal.  In the final seconds there was one final chance, as sophomore Marc Pagnucci sent a long free kick into the box that was headed on by senior Evan Strauch - only to be denied by the Vikings goalie and the post as the time ran out before Superior could set up for the ensuing corner kick.

The final score was 2-1 in favor of Holmen.  The Spartans finish the season with a record of 12-4-1.  More reflections coming later as we take some time to reflect.  We will share post season awards and more on the blog in the coming days.  Thank you to all who came out to support the Spartans this year, and thanks for following along here throughout the season.

Spartans host first playoff game this Tuesday

 

Come out to the NBC Spartans Sports Complex on Tuesday night, October 21 at 5pm for the first round of WIAA playoffs.  The 12-3-1 Superior Spartans Boys Soccer team will host the Holmen Vikings.  We hope to fill the stands and support the Spartans all the way to victory!

It will be the second home playoff game in program history, and first since 2021.  Come see this year's Spartans continue to make history.  It's the Lake Superior Conference Champions, one last time at home.  LET'S GO SPARTANS!!!!

Spartans finish regular season with victory at Spooner

 

On Monday night the Spartans traveled to Spooner to face the Rails in the final game of the 2025 regular season.  Superior started off slow, but controlled possession throughout the first half.  It took a long punt from junior goalie Brady Bachand to get the scoring going.  As the ball bounced into the opposite goal area it was junior Spencer Kidd controlling and putting the ball away for the 1-0 lead in the 16th minute.  Later in the first half, a well taken corner kick by sophomore Henry Haugen was headed home by sophomore Marc Pagnucci to secure a 2-0 lead at half.

In the second half, the Spartans dominated possession and passing but it took awhile to get the scoring going again.  Eventually it was two quick goals by Spencer Kidd just 43 seconds apart.  Assists on those goals came from senior Peyton Franta and junior Jem Pontillas.  Junior Chase Danielson finished off the scoring on an assist from Kidd.  Bachand finished with 5 saves and the shutout in goal.

Superior improves their record to 12-3-1 on the season and now awaits the WIAA playoffs.  For the second time in school history, the Spartans will host a playoff game as they earned the #3 seed in Division 1, Section 1.  On Tuesday, October 21st Superior will host the Holmen Vikings at 5pm at the NBC Spartans Sports Complex.  Let's pack the stadium and cheer the Spartans to victory!

Spartan Victory over Chippewa Earns Coach Berti 100th Win

 

On Saturday afternoon the Spartans battled the Cardinals of Chippewa Falls at home.  It was a beautiful and sunny day for soccer.  Superior jumped out to an early lead just five minutes into the game on a corner kick taken by junior Chase Danielson that was headed into the goal by junior Spencer Kidd.  Just seven minutes later it was a long throw from junior Aiden Pagnucci that was flicked on by Kidd and buried into the goal by senior Peyton Franta for a 2-0 lead.  The first half had some back and forth action, but no other goals.

At halftime the crowd enjoyed a "Boot for the Brave" game as part of the festivities around a senior project.  The project included an auction for gift baskets, t-shirts, and special jerseys for the Spartans.  All proceeds would go to the Wounded Warrior Project.  The initial count received was over $2,000!  Thank you all who participated and donated and special thanks to our seniors that hosted this great project.

The second half started poorly for the home team.  Chippewa came out fast and aggressive, scoring a goal just two minutes in to cut the lead in half.  But the Spartans didn't let the threat last, as Spencer Kidd scored a second goal assisted by Pagnucci just four minutes later for a 3-1 lead.  That lead would hold as both teams had some chances, but Superior held possession and control to finish the game with a victory.  The Spartans improved their season record to 11-3-1.  And with that win, Head Coach Otto Berti earned his 100th career victory for Superior!  Congrats Coach Berti on a great accomplishment and many thanks to all the players, coaches, and parents that have been part of this program for the last 10 years.

Our JV team fell to Chippewa Falls 2-0 earlier in the day.  JV finishes the year with a winning record of 8-5-4 on the season.  Congrats to all our JV players for a great season and some really nice improvement and development.  The varsity has one more regular season game before the playoffs begin.  The Spartans will be back in action on Monday night at Spooner at 5pm.  Go Spartans!!!

Spartans Roll Past Canes on Senior Night

 

On Tuesday night Superior hosted Hayward for "Senior Night."  The team and program would honor our 12 seniors and their families at halftime and the game was never in doubt.  The Spartans started mostly seniors and played every eligible and healthy player on the roster, including all 12 seniors in the program.  It was a fun night of celebration and plenty of goals.  Superior controlled possession from the very beginning and had multiple opportunities on goal.  The score was 2-0 at half time.  Here are the 12 seniors that we celebrated tonight:

Kenneth Bowker

Garrison Bush

Ryland Doolittle

Peyton Franta

Jack Mueller

Ryan Pettingill

Owen Porter

Ty Soderlund

Evan Strauch

Josh Stumpf

Kegan Sumption

Cole Thralow

In the second half the Spartans turned up the intensity and pushed forward to score six more goals.  According to WIAA rules, anytime after 60 minutes the game is ended when a team has an 8 goal advantage.  At the 70:09 mark, the Spartans scored the final goal to end the game with the score 8-0.  Junior Spencer Kidd scored two goals and tallied three assists.  Senior Peyton Franta scored two goals and had two assists.  Senior Evan Strauch scored two goals and was named "Man of the Match."  Junior Chase Danielson had one goal and two assists.  Junior Aiden Pagnucci scored the final tally to end the game.

Junior Brady Bachand made three easy saves to earn the shutout.  The Spartans improve their record on the season to 10-3-1.  Superior is back in action on Saturday at home against Chippewa Falls.  JV will play their final game of the season at 10am while varsity plays at noon.  Let's go Spartans!

Superior dominates Rice Lake on a special night

 

On Monday night the Spartans hosted the Rice Lake Warriors with plans to celebrate the 2025 Lake Superior Conference Championship after the game.  But first, it was business and the Spartans came to play!  After a little back and forth, Superior took control of the game and finally scored at the 17:20 mark of the first half when junior Spencer Kidd assisted senior Peyton Franta to give the Spartans the 1-0 lead.  That must have woke the boys up as Superior would then score three goals in a six minute span.  First, it was Kidd scoring a long hard shot on the assist from junior Aiden Pagnucci to make it 2-0.  Just four minutes later it was sophomore Marc Pagnucci scoring an unassisted goal on a quick turnaround shot.  And just less than two minutes later it was Pagnucci again, unassisted again, with a beautiful soaring shot over the goalie for a 4-0 lead that Superior took into halftime.

The second half was more of the same.  The bench was emptied and several reserve players received minutes as the rout was on.  Senior Evan Strauch cleaned up a cross that the Rice Lake goalie failed to control for an easy unassisted goal to make it 5-0.  Sophomore Henry Haugen wrapped up the scoring on a nice touch and shot after an assist from Kidd.  Freshman Keagan Shannon finished with three saves on a fairly uneventful night in goal.  Spencer Kidd and Marc Pagnucci were named "Man of the Match" by the captains.  The final score was 6-0.  Superior improves to 9-3-1 on the season.

After the game, the captains were presented with the 2025 Lake Superior Conference Championship trophy by Activities Director Ella Olson.  The players and coaches celebrated on the field with team and group photos.  It is only the second time Superior has won the LSC in boys soccer, and the first in 24 years!  Congrats boys!  You earned it, you deserve it!

Superior JV team lost to Rice Lake 2-0 to drop their season record to 8-4-4.  JV season will end on Saturday with a match against Chippewa Falls.  Varsity is back in action on Tuesday night for "SENIOR NIGHT" against Hayward at 5:00pm at the NBC Spartan Sports Complex.  Let's keep it going Spartans!

Spartans fall short at DC Everest

On Saturday, the Superior Spartans traveled to central Wisconsin to battle the Evergreens of DC Everest.  It was an unusually warm afternoon in addition to the challenge of playing a very strong DC Everest side.  The Evergreens record was 9-2-2 and they sit atop the Wisconsin Valley Conference.  But the Spartans came to play - striking first just 2:26 into the game when junior goalie Brady Bachand sent a long ball the length of the field to junior forward Spencer Kidd, who neatly deposited the ball into the net for the early 1-0 lead!  However, DC Everest did not back down or give up.  The Evergreens responded with three goals in quick succession at the 9th, 17th, and 24th minutes of the first half to take a comfortable 3-1 lead.  Just before halftime the Spartans secured a free kick near the box that was taken by Kidd.  It was a beautiful effort to the head of senior Evan Strauch that was going right for the corner only to be pushed aside by the Evergreens goalie.  The score was 3-1 at the half in favor of DC Everest.

Superior knew they were in for a battle, the question was how would they respond?  Once again, the Spartans came out swinging.  And once again, it was Kidd scoring the goal.  This time on an assist from junior Aiden Pagnucci just 2:21 into the second half to make it a 3-2 game.  Just moments later it was DC Everest responding with their own shot, scoring in the 47th minute to retain the two goal lead at 4-2.  It proved to be a back and forth second half, as Superior punched back.  Who else but Spencer Kidd, securing the hat trick on the assist from Strauch at 50:49 of the second half.  It was now 4-3.  The Evergreens are a gritty bunch that just would not relent, eventually scoring their fifth goal in the 55th minute to move the score to 5-3.  The last 25 minutes were back and forth, with the defenses and goalies taking care of business and holding their lines.  While Superior put up a valiant effort, it was not our day.  DC Everest prevailed by the final score of 5-3.  The loss drops the Spartans to 8-3-1 on the season.  Kidd's goals gave him a team leading 20 tallies for the season.

The JV team also lost to DC Everest, by a score of 5-0.  JV drops to 8-3-4 on the season.  Both teams are back in action on Monday evening.  The JV will play at 5:00 at the Swamp.  Varsity will play at 7:00 on the main complex.  After the game, the Spartans will be presented with the trophy for the 2025 Lake Superior Conference championship.  Come out for the game and celebrate with us on Monday night!  Go Spartans!!!

Spartans Crowned Conference Champions!

 

On Friday night the Lake Superior Conference season came to an end.  And with the final results the final standings are in...the Superior Spartans Boys Soccer team are CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS!  Congrats to everyone on the team.  What a great season it has been so far, and we are not done yet!  Below are the final boys soccer standings of the 2025 Lake Superior Conference season:

1. Superior 5-1-1 (22 points)

2. Hermantown 7-2-3 (19 points)

3. Duluth Denfeld 4-2-2 (18 points)

4. Grand Rapids 4-3-1 (18 points)

5. Duluth Marshall 5-3-1 (16 points)

6. Cloquet 3-3-2 (15 points)

7. Hibbing 2-7-0 (4 points)

8. Proctor 0-9-0 (0 points)

This is the second time in school history that the boys soccer team has won the LSC conference, and the first time since 2001!  On Monday night, October 6, the team will be presented as champions after the varsity game against Rice Lake.  Please join us to celebrate, cheer the team on, and congratulate them on a great accomplishment.

Superior heads down south to play DC Everest on Saturday.  JV will play at 1:00 and varsity at 3:00.  Go Spartans!  2025 LSC Conference Champions!!!!!