Spartans succumb to...thunderstorms

Well it was not the trip we planned.  On Friday afternoon the Spartans hit the road to Wisconsin Rapids.  The JV game got started and was moving along until the 13:45 mark, when lightning struck a few miles away.  The officials moved both teams indoors and we began a new game...waiting.  Discussions between the coaches and officials ensued and after nearly two hours of waiting for the storm and rain to pass, it was determined that we would have to postpone the games.  We are currently working with Wisconsin Rapids to reschedule, even if we have to meet at a neutral location.  Details will be released as soon as possible.

After gathering our gear and loading the bus, the teams checked into the hotel and had a team dinner at the local Pizza Ranch.  This morning we were moving along and preparing for a new game day when Stevens Point officials reached out to postpone the game.  On Monday we will begin working with them to make an attempt to reschedule.  As these details are worked out, we will update accordingly.

We found an indoor mini-golf course and arcade to at least have something fun to do before the trip was over.  And now it's the long drive back north to home.  It's where we are used to weather changing our plans and days, year round!  

JV is back in action on Monday at Two Harbors and both JV and varsity play on Tuesday night at home against Grand Rapids.  Let's go Spartans!

Late goal secures a tie for JV

On Wednesday night our JV team traveled across the bridge to face the Duluth East "B" team.  Earlier in the season, the JV Spartans tied the East "C" team 2-2 at home.  This time the Greyhounds dominated the early play and took a 1-0 lead in the first half with most of the shots on goal.  Superior held strong and even started to develop some possession and offense, but the game went into halftime 1-0 in favor of East.

The second half was a battle, and Superior did not give up!  The Spartans created several opportunities and chances until finally it was junior Griffin Dallum pressing the goalie and pushing through to an open net to tie the game 1-1.  Sophomore Oliver Farell was credited with the assist.  Superior continued to attack and also held on against the press of the Greyhounds.  The game ended in a 1-1 tie.  Freshman Keagan Shannon had 16 saves in goal for the Spartans!  It was a great team effort and we are very proud of the result.

Both varsity and JV squads now head to Wisconsin Rapids on Friday and Stevens Point on Saturday.  Let's go Spartans!

Superior loses at Cloquet

 

On a warm summer Tuesday night, the Spartans traveled to Cloquet for their next LSC matchup.  Whether it was the heat or the defending LSC champions confidence, Superior was in for a battle and came up short in the end.  The first half was controlled mostly by the Lumberjacks, but Superior held strong and eventually started creating chances.  No major threats came through and the game was deadlocked at halftime 0-0.

Cloquet came out firing in the second half.  The Lumberjacks stunned Superior with two goals in a span of 58 seconds just three minutes into the half.  The Spartans were now facing an uphill battle.  While the boys didn't give up, it was not our night.  Several chances were thwarted by the Cloquet defense, including one amazing save by their goalie on a long chip from distance.  Superior could not convert and the game ended in a 2-0 loss.

Our JV team also lost, 4-1.  Sophomore Oliver Farell scored the lone goal for Superior, with the assist going to freshman Titus Thompson.  

Varsity drops their record to 5-2 on the season and 3-1 in the LSC.  JV drops to 4-2-2 on the year.  JV is back in action on Wednesday against the Duluth East "B" team at Lowell Elementary.  Both varsity and JV head down south for the weekend with Friday's game at Wisconsin Rapids and Saturday at Stevens Point.

Spartans rout Hermantown

 

On Saturday all the Lake Superior Conference teams gathered for the annual LSC Day showcase at NBC Spartans Sports Complex.  Superior was matched up with the Hawks of Hermantown and the Spartans did not disappoint.  It was Superior in a rout, dominate from the very beginning.  Senior Peyton Franta opened up the scoring on an assist from sophomore Zack Monaghan to give Superior a 1-0 lead 18 minutes in.  Not to be outdone, just 4 minutes later it was junior Spencer Kidd scoring on a breakaway with the assist going to junior Chase Danielson.  Kidd has now scored in 6 consecutive games.  The Spartans led 2-0 at the half.

In the second half, it was more of the same.  Franta was back at it with a long run and power shot to beat the keeper and a 3-0 lead in the 60th minute.  Senior Evan Strauch was given the assist.  Again, it was a quick strike to follow, as sophomore Marc Pagnucci neatly served a free kick into the box for the Spencer Kidd header goal to cap the scoring in the 63rd minute.  Superior easily held on for the 4-0 victory.  Freshman Keagan Shannon kept the clean sheet in goal for his first career shutout.  Franta was named the captain's "Man of the Match."  The Spartans improve to 5-1 on the season and 3-0 in the conference.

The JV team had a quality showing as well, ending with a 2-2 tie against Hermantown at the swamp.  Scoring for the Spartans were sophomore Oliver Farell and freshman Titus Thompson.  Farell leads the JV team with 4 goals on the season.  The JV record stands at 4-1-2.

Both teams are back in action Tuesday night in Cloquet for another LSC matchup.  JV plays at 5pm and varsity is at 7pm.

Superior sweeps River Falls

 

On Tuesday night the Spartans hosted the River Falls Wildcats on a clear and pleasant evening.  Superior controlled the game from the very beginning, opening up a lead with a goal from senior Evan Strauch in the 14th minute.  Sophomore Zack Monaghan had the assist.  The score held until the dangerous combo of sophomore Marc Pagnucci and junior Spencer Kidd took over in the last 10 minutes of the half.  It was Pagnucci to Kidd for the 2-0 lead at 32 minutes and then again Pagnucci to Kidd for the 3-0 lead with just about a minute left in the first half.

The second half was more of the same as Evan Strauch tallied his second goal on the rebound of a powerful shot by Kidd.  To finish off the night it was the Pagnucci brothers combining for the last goal when junior Aiden Pagnucci assisted Marc with just 2 minutes left in the game.  The final score was 5-1 and the "Man of the Match" was shared between Spencer Kidd and Marc Pagnucci.  Kidd finished with 2 goals and an assist.  The junior standout has scored in every game this season and has 8 goals on the year.  Pagnucci had 2 assists and a goal and continues to lead the defensive back line.  Evan Strauch's two goals gave him 5 for the season.  The Spartans improve to 4-1 on the season.

Our JV team also scored a victory, this one in comeback fashion.  Down 1-0 at the half, the Spartans tied it on a corner kick.  Sophomore Oliver Farell sent in the corner to freshman Demion Campbell, who volleyed the ball to sophomore Trey Pedersen's header for the great combination goal.  Then with just three minutes left in the game it was Farell who scored the winner on a nice shot over the Wildcats goalie.  Junior Griffin Dallum had the assist.  JV improves to 4-1-1 on the year.

Both teams are back in action this Saturday at home for the Lake Superior Conference Day.  Superior will face off against Hermantown.  JV will play at 4pm at The Swamp.  Varsity will play at 6pm at the NBC Spartans Sports Complex.  Let's go Superior!

JV draws with Duluth East C team

 

On Monday night our JV team took to the Swamp for a battle with the Duluth East Greyhounds "C" team.  It was a back and forth affair, as both teams put together passing sequences that led to opportunities.  However, it was freshman Titus Thompson who scored the first goal.  After dispossessing the last defender, Thompson neatly shot the ball into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.  Unfortunately, East came back with a late first half goal on a free kick that deflected off the Spartans and in.  The score was 1-1 at half.

In the second half, it was senior Owen Porter scoring his first career goal from the defense.  Porter had quite the game.  He started in defense, scored a goal, was moved back to play goalie for a few minutes as an injury replacement, and finished strong back at defense.  Duluth East tied the game with about 17 minutes left on a controversial play between their striker and the Spartans goalie, freshman Demion Campbell.  Somehow the goal was allowed even though Campbell was kicked in the mouth and left bleeding, forcing him out of the game.  Superior had a few opportunities in the last few minutes but could not finish and the game ended in a 2-2 tie.  The Spartans JV moves their record to 3-1-1 on the season.

Both Spartans squads are back in action on Tuesday night as River Falls comes to visit the NBC Spartans Sports Complex.  JV is scheduled for 4pm and varsity for 6pm.  Let's go Spartans!

Spartans Rain on the Bluejackets

 

On Thursday afternoon Superior headed to Hibbing for a conference matchup on a rain soaked night of soccer.  While the Spartans controlled the game from the get go, the score was kept close at the beginning.  After securing an early goal, Superior gave up a goal before scoring again for a 2-1 halftime lead.  Even into the second half the score remained close, but the Spartans dominated.  Finally, with about 15 minutes to go the floodgates opened and Superior let it rain - even down to the final second.

Leading the Spartans on the day was junior forward Spencer Kidd, who tallied a goal for the fourth straight game as well as three assists.  Seniors Evan Strauch and Peyton Franta each tallied two goals and one assist.  Junior Aiden Pagnucci added one goal and one assist while junior Chase Danielson finished off the scoring on an assist from sophomore Marc Pagnucci.  Danielson's goal came just before the final whistle.  Some confusion between the referees and the scorekeeper led to a check of the video which confirmed the ball in the goal with 1 second remaining.  It was a much needed dominating victory to move the Spartans record to 3-1 on the season and 2-0 in the conference.  Peyton Franta was chosen by the captains as "Man of the Match."

Our JV team was also victorious, securing a 2-0 victory in the rain.  Juniors Landyn Eiynk and Griffin Dallum tallied goals while freshman Demion Campbell had the shutout in net.  JV is now 3-1 on the season as well.  Great start boys!  JV will next host Duluth East "C" team on Monday at 4:30pm at the Swamp.  Both teams are back in action when River Falls comes to town on Tuesday, September 9 at the NBC Spartans Sports Complex with JV at 4 and varsity at 6.  Let's go Spartans!