Posted: 10/10/07
Boys secure highest ever NSC ranking
 North Branch sophomore midfielder Justin Murrary, right, battles for possession of the ball with an Irondale Knight player during the Vikings final regular season game of the year Oct. 4 at Irondale High School. |
When the Irondale Knights showed up for their match against the Vikings Oct. 4, they may have expected another victory.
What they got instead was a game that ended in a 2-2 tie.
"The boys soccer team has solidified itself as a competitive team in the North Suburban Conference," head coach Brad Gustafson said.
Although the Knights scored first, the Vikings kept working hard and earned several scoring chances the first half. During this time, Brian Grand was fouled in the box and awarded a penalty shot that he buried in the net.
Grand continued to make use of the quality feeds his teammates supplied and earned another PK in the second half. Grand finished the play by scoring his 17th goal of the season.
In what appeared to be a turn-for-the-worse, the Knights were awarded a PK late in regulation.
Sophomore goalie Austin Holmes begged to differ and made a brilliant save deflecting the PK attempt and preserving the tie.
There was also plenty of action in the final minutes of ensuing overtime play. However, the two NSC teams remained deadlocked and played to a 2-2 tie.
"Our team continues to impress me. Not once this season have I sensed that they've given up or let up. Tonight ... for the first time, we tied Irondale High School and secured an NSC ranking higher than in any previous year."
Benilde-St. Margarets
The boys had a solid showing against the Red Knights of Benilde-St. Margaret's. The Knights are coming off their 4th state title in nine appearances and showcase many talented players, yet the Vikings held their own for most of the game.
When all was said and done, the knights walked away with a victory by defeating the Vikings by a 6-2 margin.
The game was played in the pouring rain, but both teams managed to put forth great efforts, Gustafson noted.
The Vikings found themselves down by just a goal at halftime with a score of 1-2.
Grand played well and earned his 15th goal of the year.
"Holmes was remarkable in net and had a few saves that were nothing short of brilliant," Gustafson said.
For the second straight game, freshman Tyler Ertl dominated as he stepped up and won several balls from experienced Red Knight attackers.
"Our team rose up from the mud and muck to put together a brilliant effort. The boys stuck to the passing and possession game and that allowed us to sustain an offense against a perennial powerhouse. I couldn't be prouder of our effort and attitude up to, during, and after the match.
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