’Jacks joust with Hilltoppers

Esko senior Bryan Johnson netted a cross pass from Cloquet-Esko-Carlton teammate Jim Peterson in the 20th minute of a 1-1 double overtime tie with Lake Superior Conference rival Duluth Marshall Tuesday at Bromberg Field.

Johnson, whose goal answered the Hilltoppers’ first strike just five minutes earlier, credited Peterson’s pass rather than his own foot.

“I figured Jim was going to shoot it, but he lobbed that ball up perfectly,” Johnson said. “It was just an amazing ball, where I then saw a gap and just tapped it in. I couldn’t have asked for a better ball.”

Tuesday’s game couldn’t have been much better either. In a rematch of last year’s Section 7A boys soccer final, CEC and Duluth Marshall were competitive throughout each half and both overtime frames, according to eighth-year Lumberjacks Coach Archie Clark.

“Both sides played very well,” Clark said. “I think both teams are rebuilding a bit this year, but it was an excellent 1-1 tie. It was a very competitive game and that’s just the way it ended.”

Last season, CEC went to state when the Hilltoppers’ own goal in overtime decided the 1-0 result in another deadlocked affair.

Johnson, a 5-foot-11, 140-pound midfielder playing against

Duluth Marshall is fun.

“I’d like to think they bring out the best of us,” he said. “Marshall is one of the best teams in the area, they’re definitely up there. We run around, poke balls and play harder. I can’t wait to see them again.”

“I’m sure they wanted some

revenge against us from last year,” added Esko

junior

midfielder Alex DeRocher, who played limited minutes in last season’s section final. “It was a pretty competitive game today.”

Clark said Tuesday’s affair remained knotted following a 1-1 halftime tie, adding that Johnson, Peterson and Cloquet’s Westin Michaud were strong offensively, while Cloquet defenders Eric Peterson and Brandt Straub were sturdy in the middle back of the field.

“Our defense is stronger than I thought it would be,” Clark said. “Halen Danielson is our goalkeeper as just a sophomore, too, and he’s getting a lot better. We all just try to get better each game we play.”

The Lumberjacks have wins at Superior and Eveleth-Gilbert, along with losses at Rosemount and Duluth Denfeld. Tuesday’s tie moved CEC’s home unbeaten streak to 12 dating back to a 2010 Duluth Marshall defeat. With a wide-open Section 7A like always, Clark remains excited.

“I don’t know if I’ve ever seen it like this, it’s really up in the air,” said Clark of the title they look to defend. “There are definitely going to be some losses and some wins and [the title will go to the] team that comes together at the end.”

“We’re coming along and everyone is playing their role,” DeRocher added confidently. “We have some young ninth- and 10th-graders who are stepping up and the upperclassmen are leading by example.”

Johnson’s kick included.

GIRLS SOCCER:

Cloquet (2-3) scored its second win of the fall, trouncing host Duluth Marshall 6-1 in an LSC rout Tuesday. Scoring star Maija Doran notched a hat trick, while teammate Emily Rikkola had a goal and an assist.

Esko-Carlton (2-3) also blanked host Hibbing-Chisholm 3-0 Tuesday, as Tori Zime netted a pair of goals within a two-minute span to back DeAhna Kulas’ second shutout of the year for the two-win Eskomos.

Tags: sports, soccer, cloquet, preps