The North Branch boys soccer team lost to Spring Lake Park 1-0 Sept. 6 at home.

In years past, the Panthers have had their way with the Vikings.

In 2006, the Panthers defeated the Vikings 9-1 and in 2005 the Panthers earned a 10-0 shutout.

"Sometimes history has a way of repeating itself, except when a dedicated team determined to play hard executes flawlessly on defense," head coach Brad Gustafson said.

The Vikings nearly shutout the Panthers, who scored late in the game on a play that many thought was offsides.

The team had several quality scoring chances. Earlier in the match, senior tri-captain Sean Karvonen made a slashing run down field and was fed a ball by sophomore Brian Grand. Karvonen narrowly missed the header in front of the Panther's net.

In the second half, Tom Mork, one of the team's leading point earners this season, hit a long shot that beat Spring Lake Park's goalkeeper and hit the crossbar behind him.

Gustafson said it was the teams best-played game of the year.

"It was truly a team effort. Losing to the previous year's conference champions by merely one goal is a tremendous accomplishment," Gustafson said after the game.

"Our team played the best ball of the season and worked hard for 80 solid minutes. I'm giving game balls to our bench tonight. I had four players sit without seeing any playing time. The starters were clicking, and the unselfish attitudes of the young men on the bench made it possible for me to leave the starters in most of the match. My hat goes off to my bench and the sacrifice they made for our team tonight. I hate to have a player sit without playing, and take the contribution and sacrifice very seriously.

Robbinsdale Cooper

The boys played a solid 80 minutes on Sept. 10, but lost 3-4 to Robbinsdale Cooper.

At the end of regulation, the mighty red found themselves in a 3-3 deadlock with Cooper.

Grand led the scoring charge finding the net all three times. His first goal was off a brilliantly placed direct kick. Grand's second goal was assisted by freshman Nic Miller.

Grand also scored on a penalty kick late in regulation when fellow sophomore, Christian Tempel was fouled in the box.

A 10 minute overtime followed regulation. Overtime began with Cooper scoring early on a corner kick. The Vikings responded by creating several scoring opportunities of their own. The most promising came when another Viking was fouled by Cooper inside the box. This earned a penalty shot. The shot was on goal, but the Cooper goalie made a diving save to preserve his team's lead and earn the overtime victory.

Gustafson said both teams played hard and well. The Vikings won more than 50 percent of the balls in the middle third of the field and also matched Cooper's 20 shots on the night -- Karvonen hit the crossbar in regulation on one of those shots.

"The Vikings are improving each game and have been playing some quality possession soccer," Gustafson said.

The team strung together six consecutive passes several times in the loss versus Cooper.

"This type of ball control can really set the tempo of a match." Gustafson stated after the game. "Our defense did an outstanding job committing to the game plan and leading the charge. They showed that if we play as a team we can be competitive against anyone."

The team will face Conference rival Chisago Lakes Thursday. The Wildcats will host the game.