Comet Boys Advance with 7-0 Win Over Pirates

By Rod Jensen 

The Hillcrest/Pelican Rapids Boys Soccer Team defeated Crookston in the first round of section 8A playoffs at HLA on Thursday, posting a 7-0 victory. 

The Comets came out very quickly scoring their first goal, just 28 seconds into the contest.  Luis Martinez picked up the ball in the center of the field and brought it to the right corner, where he let go of a cross to the far post.  Byron Varner was there waiting for a perfect header goal.  Twelve minutes into the half, Kevin Francoscored off an assist from Luis Martinez.  Martinez scored at the 25 minute mark off an assist from Byron Varner and then swapped roles three minutes later as Varner scored off an assist from Martinez, ending the half, with the Comets up by four. 

Just like the first half, the Comets struck early in the second half.  Just 33 secondsinto the half, Martinez took a beautiful feed up the middle from Jonatan Stava and scored.  Five minutes into the half, Stava scored and unassisted goal.  The final goal of the game came fourteen minutes into the second half, Martinez scored his third goal of the game, off an assist from Quincy Undseth.

Taylor Isaac was perfect in goal stopping five shots on net for the shutout.

The Comets saw good midfield control during the game from Luis Diaz, Eric Diaz,Jose Stender, and Dillon O’Sullivan.  The Comets face off against Alexandria on Saturday in the quarter finals at 1:00pm at the HLA Field.