The Cloquet girls soccer team is not about to let their Section 7A title go without a fight. Last year, the Jacks made it to the state soccer tournament and will find themselves right back in the section title game on Thursday after defeating Hermantown 4-0 on Tuesday night.
After the regular season, Cloquet was seeded No. 3 in the section, Hermantown was seeded No. 2, Esko-Carlton had the No. 1 seed and Two Harbors was the No. 4 seed. Playing as the lower seed and on the road in an intense environment did not seem to deter the Jacks, who scored three first-half goals on their way to the win.
Emily Johnson teamed up with Jessie Ryan to score the first goal and send Cloquet on their way to the win in the nine-minute mark of the first half. Hannah Roy hooked up with Sarah Johnson in the 33rd minute to make it 2-0 and finally Emily Johnson made it 3-0 in the 38th minute as Cloquet put the pressure on throughout the first half.
Roy punched in another goal just four minutes into the second half and then the Jacks played tight defense to make sure the Hawks couldn't get back into it the rest of the way.
Kaitrin Rathe and Mary Keller split goaltending duties for the Jacks, making a total of nine saves between them in earning a shutout. Kaylee Steen made six saves on 10 shots for the Hawks.
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Emily Johnson had a three-point game with a two goals and an assist and Roy had a pair of goals in the victory.
The Lumberjacks improved to 11-3-4 on the season and will look to defend their Section 7A title when they play at Public Schools Stadium Thursday at 5 p.m. against Two Harbors. The Agates upset the No. 1 seed, Esko, on Tuesday night.
- The Jacks advanced to the section semifinals with a 3-0 shutout victory over Chisago Lakes on Saturday in Cloquet.
Jessica Baublitz scored on a pass from Sarah Johnson in the 10th minute and Katie Pappas scored on a pass from Johnson in the 38th minute as Cloquet went ahead 2-0 at halftime.
The lone goal of the second half was scored by Pappas in the 74th minute and again it was set up by Johnson.
Cloquet dominated from the start by outshooting Chisago Lakes 14-4 as Rathe and Keller each made two saves in the win.
