Cloquet claims U-15 girls soccer state title

In their biggest game of the summer, it was only fitting that the Cloquet U-15 girls soccer team didn’t back down.
Rather, Cloquet downed Lakeville 1-0 to win the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association Competitive 3 Girls Soccer State Championship last Saturday in Shakopee, Minn.
Speedster Kendra Kelley’s lone goal was plenty to back goalie Brandi Nelson’s 80-minute shutout. En route to their title victory, Cloquet also defeated Crow River 2-1 and New Prague 3-1.
Cloquet, co-coached by Bobbie Turner and Brian Stevenson - both with daughters on the team - didn’t lose a league game all summer, and they cruised through districts and the six-team state field behind all 17 team-first players.
“Brian and I both agreed this is one of greatest groups we’ve ever gotten to work with,” Turner said. “It couldn’t have been better. No drama - just all soccer, all the time.”
Having time before their game, Turner said her girls watched the Cloquet U-17’s first-half final with New Prague, a game they won 3-1 before coming to watch the U-15s play.
“As soon as they came over, we knew they won it,” said Turner. “Then I guess the pressure was on us to win it, too.”