GRANITE FALLS — Kaila Green scored two goals inside the first 11 minutes of the match and Granite Falls took a significant step to securing a playoff berth with a victory over Cedarcrest.
“It was a big game for seeding for districts,” said Granite Falls head coach Cory Elwell. “It was real important not to come out slow … and the first 25 to 30 minutes we were really in control.”
Green ensured all the early possession did not go to waste. Stationed on the right wing, Green outran the Cedarcrest defense to receive a pass from Marissa Hutchinson and scored before three minutes had ticked off the clock. Just eight minutes later, Green scored a similar goal from a Winter Wirkkala assist to give the Tigers a 2-0 lead.
After being blitzed early, the Red Wolves gradually got back into the match and forced Tigers goalkeeper Courtney Young to make some critical stops to preserve her seventh shutout of the season.
“She made four really good, top-notch saves,” said Elwell. “She came off her line and stopped some one-on-one chances.”
In the 60th minute, the Tigers’ Courteney Loesche added an insurance goal with a blast from 20 yards out that went into the upper right corner of the net.
The victory ensured the Tigers remained ahead of Lakewood for the final 2A district berth and moved Granite Falls to within two points of the Red Wolves for the No. 2 seed with two matches to play in the regular season.
At Granite Falls H.S.
Goals—Kaila Green (GF) 2, Courteney Loesche (GF). Assists—Marissa Hutchinson (GF), Winter Wirkkala (GF), Kelsey Bechtoldt. Goalkeepers—Cedarcrest: Bailey Parish. Granite Falls: Courtney Young (7th SO of year). Records—Cedarcrest 7-5 league, 8-6 overall. Granite Falls 7-5, 7-7.
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