Superior rolls against Eau Claire North

It was another beautiful night for soccer on Tuesday as the Spartans headed down the road to face the Huskies of Eau Claire North.  This would be an important battle considering both teams are in the same group of 8 schools in WIAA regional playoffs.  Both teams played well and had chances in the first half, but Superior dominated in shot attempts and most of possession.  However, the game was tied 0-0 at the half.

Whatever was said at the break must have worked, as Superior came out with one of their best halves of the season.  Junior Spencer Kidd led the way, scoring 4 goals in spectacular fashion with both the feet and the head.  Junior Aiden Pagnucci had 3 assists and sophomore Marc Pagnucci tallied one assist.  Freshman Keagan Shannon had 6 saves in goal for the shutout.  Spencer Kidd and Aiden Pagnucci were chosen as co-winners of the "Man of the Match."  The Spartans improved their record on the season to 8-2-1 and will next face DC Everest on Saturday afternoon.

The JV game ended in a 0-0 tie.  Superior had a 12-5 advantage in shots on goal, but unfortunately could not find the back of the net.  Junior Brady Bachand had 5 saves in goal for the shutout.  On a positive note, it was the 5th consecutive shutout for the JV team!  Superior JV stands at 8-2-4 on the season.  Keep up the great season Spartans!

On Saturday at DC Everest it will be JV playing at 1:00pm and varsity at 3:00pm.  Let's go Spartans!

Spartans defeat Proctor on "Youth Night"

 

On Monday night the Spartans hosted the Proctor Rails for an LSC matchup on "Youth Night."  It was once again a beautiful night for soccer and the Spartans got off to a fast start.  Superior scored 4 goals in the first ten minutes to establish that this was going to be their night.  While Proctor struck back to make it 4-1, it was Superior responding with a fifth goal halfway through the opening session.  The rest of the half was quieter, and the score at the break was 5-1.

In the second half, the Spartans used several substitutions and gave some valuable playing time to many of the guys who have been mostly on the bench this season.  Possession and opportunities were still in favor of Superior, but no more goals made it through.  Leading the way in scoring for the Spartans was senior Peyton Franta who tallied two goals and one assist.  Juniors Aiden Pagnucci and Spencer Kidd each tallied one goal and one assist, while junior Chase Danielson had two assists.  Senior Evan Strauch also had one goal.  Franta was named the "Man of the Match."  Superior improves to 7-2-1 on the season and finishes 5-1-1 in LSC conference play.  The Spartans stand in first place in the conference with just a few teams left to play their remaining games.

The JV team also defeated Proctor tonight by a score of 1-0.  It was their fourth straight win, fourth straight shutout, and seventh shutout overall on the season!  Junior Griffin Dallum scored the lone goal on an assist from sophomore Oliver Farell.  Freshman Keagan Shannon had 5 saves to secure the shutout in goal.  JV improves to 8-2-3 on the season!

Both teams are back in action on Tuesday when Superior travels to Eau Claire North.  JV will play at 5 and varsity is at 7.  Go Spartans!!! 

Superior Sweeps the Hilltoppers

 

On Friday afternoon the Spartans visited the Hilltoppers of Marshall School Duluth.  It was a fierce battle of two LSC conference opponents and the season standings were on the line.  The teams battled back and forth evenly through most of the first half.  Superior struck first in the closing moments of the opening half when junior Chase Danielson sent in a corner kick that was deposited into the goal by sophomore Marc Pagnucci.  The Spartans led 1-0 at the half and had all the momentum.

Oh how things can change so quickly.  In the opening minutes of the second half, things got out of hand fast.  A Marshall player broke for the goal and freshman goalie Keagan Shannon came out to make the save as a collision ensued.  The referee showed a yellow card to the keeper and awarded a penalty shot to the Hilltoppers.  Unfortunately for Superior, the rules state that a player must be removed from the game if issued a yellow card.  Even worse, junior goalie Brady Bachand was filling in at goal for the JV team at the same time due to injuries.  Oddly enough, it was junior Spencer Kidd filling in as the goalie for the penalty that was converted by Marshall.  The momentum had officially been shifted.  And the Hilltoppers weren't done.

Shannon was able to substitute back onto the field in goal, but Marshall struck again to take a 2-1 lead just minutes later.  In one of the most frustrating sequences the Spartans had ever faced, they now were challenged with responding to adversity and making a comeback for the ages.  And about 20 minutes later Superior took the game back as Spencer Kidd scored on an assist from Marc Pagnucci.  The game was tied 2-2, but the Spartans were not done!

A few minutes later, Superior found the back of the net - only to be denied by the referees with an offsides call!  The Spartans kept fighting.  It was the second goal they scored that was called back.  The energy and physicality of the game intensified as both teams pushed for the winning goal.  And with just over five minutes left, Pagnucci sent a perfect ball floating through the air into the goal area where Kidd one-timed it in for a beautiful goal.  3-2 Spartans lead and five minutes to victory.  Superior held off the Marshall attack to secure the huge victory and move the Spartans into first place in the Lake Superior Conference.  Superior now stands at 6-2-1 and 4-1-1 in the LSC.  Pagnucci and Shannon were chosen by the captains as the men of the match!

The JV team also won to improve their record to 7-2-3 on the season.  Senior Ryan Pettingill scored the lone goal and junior Brady Bachand had the shutout in goal.  Both teams return to action at home on Monday night against Proctor.  JV at 5pm and varsity at 7pm.  All children and students wearing a jersey will get in FREE for "Youth Night."  Congrats to the boys on a great result as homecoming week comes to a close.  Let's go Spartans!!!

Superior and Grand Rapids Ends Tied

On Tuesday the Spartans hosted the Thunder Hawks of Grand Rapids, Minnesota.  It was a beautiful night for soccer as Superior held "Staff Appreciation" with our 12 seniors.  The game was an even battle with opportunities for both sides, but neither team could find the back of the net.  Junior Brady Bachand secured the shutout in goal for Superior.  The Spartans record now stands at 5-2-1 overall and 3-1-1 in the LSC Conference.

The JV team won 2-0.  Freshman Titus Thompson and junior Griffin Dallum scored goals within the first five minutes of each half to control the game.  Sophomore Oliver Farell had 2 assists.  Freshman Keagan Shannon was in goal for the shutout.  JV improves their record to 6-2-3 on the season.

Both teams are back in action Friday afternoon at Duluth Marshall.  Let's go Spartans!

(Apologies for the late post on this result!) 

JV wins at Two Harbors

 

On Monday night our JV squad took the trip to Two Harbors for an exciting match on a decent fall night for soccer.  The game was played at the Two Harbors football stadium and livestreamed for free.  Check out the "HUDL Fan" app and look up Two Harbors High School for the recording of the game.  Special thanks to our hosts and the great fans and supporters.  The atmosphere at this game was the best we've seen at a JV game in over 20 years of coaching.

The game was fast and the action was packed from the very beginning.  The Agates had a few more chances to start, including a breakaway that was pushed wide of the goal.  The Spartans came alive and had a few close chances as well.  One on a header off a corner that was certainly going in, but the Two Harbors defense was there to clear the ball away.  The game remained scoreless until halftime.

Things changed quickly in the second half as Superior struck first just 5 minutes in.  It was a cross from freshman Trenton Mikulich that came to the feet of junior Landyn Eiynk who buried a great shot to give the Spartans a 1-0 lead.  About halfway through the second stanza, freshman Demion Campbell made a break for the goal that was thwarted by the Two Harbors goalie.  However, contact was made and the referee called a penalty.  Sophomore Oliver Farell buried the penalty kick for his team leading 6th goal of the season.  Both teams continued to press and fight for opportunities, but it was senior Ryan Pettingill scoring a chip shot from distance to make it 3-0 with seven minutes to play.  Sophomore Brayden Dietzmann was credited with the assist.  Superior held strong and finished the game with a 3-0 shutout.  Freshman Keagan Shannon was credited with 9 saves in goal.  The Spartans JV improves to 5-2-3 on the season.  Go Superior!!!

Both varsity and JV are back in action at home on Tuesday night against Grand Rapids.  JV at 5pm and varsity at 7pm.  Our previously postponed match with Wisconsin Rapids has been rescheduled for this Saturday, September 27 at a neutral site in Eau Claire North.  Both JV and varsity play at 11am.

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!