Spartans fall at Grand Rapids

On a rainy Tuesday afternoon the Spartans traveled to Minnesota to take on the Grand Rapids Thunderhawks in LSC conference action.  It was a vital game for the conference standings.  The two teams tied 0-0 at Superior last year, and both teams have looked good thus far in LSC action.  Grand Rapids got on the board first with a goal in just the fourth minute of play.  After settling down, the action continued back and forth.  But Superior could not get its footing or any positive momentum.  The Thunderhawks would strike again before half and looked in control with a 2-0 lead at halftime.

In the second half, the Spartans picked up the intensity and created more opportunities but to no avail.  In an unprecedented play, senior goalie Brady Bachand punted the ball out of the defensive goal area for Superior and the ball carried its momentum over the Grand Rapids defense and through the goalie for a goal.  It was Bachand's second goal of the season, but first from the goalkeeper position.  That doesn't happen very often!  The Spartans took that momentum and tried to change the course of the game, but ran out of time.  The final score was 2-1 in favor of Grand Rapids, who remains undefeated in conference play and in position to win the LSC with just two games left.  Superior drops their record to 10-2-1 on the season and 2-1-1 in LSC action.

The JV team played Grand Rapids at a different location while the varsity game was being finished.  Superior came out slow and struggled with the wet field conditions.  Grand Rapids scored about ten minutes into the game but the Spartans were keeping up with them.  Unfortunately, the Thunderhawks poured it on at the end of the half and came away leading 4-0 at halftime.  After a brief discussion, the JV team agreed to reset and start over.  Change our attitudes and change our way of play, and made it a goal to win the second half.  And that they did.  Superior scored three goals in the second half, all on corner kick plays.  Senior Mason Specht had two assists, while freshman Rylan Sumption added one.  The goals were scored by senior Griffin Dallum, freshman Maxx Brown, and junior Knoah Hills in just his second soccer game ever.  The final score was 6-3, but Superior won the second half 3-2.  The JV record is now 6-8 on the season.

Both teams will host Duluth Marshall on Thursday night for senior night.  Seniors will be recognized at halftime of the varsity game.  JV will play at 5:00pm, varsity at 7:00pm.