Comets Unite Early in Launching Into New Season

Lady Comet soccer opened its campaign with a statement win and a grit-filled road test that shouted the same message twice: these Comets are united, fiesty, and relentless.

Statement Saturday: 3–2 over Fergus Falls

After two hard weeks of preseason, Hillcrest stepped into the season opener against the Fergus Falls Otters, eager to show who they are. The Otters nicked an early goal, but the Comets tightened their approach, won second balls, and punched back.

Eight minutes after the Otters took a 1-0 lead, Comet Sophomore midfielder Alexa Ewan slid a quick pass to Junior forward Dakota Campbell, who buried the equalizer. After halftime, the Comets came out flying. Sophomore Lauren Markovetz recycled a loose ball and found Campbell again, and the junior coolly slipped the go-ahead finish past the keeper. A late foul set up a dangerous free kick just outside the 18, and Ewan bent it over the wall for a 3–1 cushion. The Otters fought for one more goal as the game tarried, but Hillcrest locked the door and saw out a 3–2 win.

“All around this was a team effort,” said Head Coach Jeremy Forrester. “We saw a lot of the hard work in practice show on the field today. I am excited to watch this team continue to grow and put the pieces together each game.”

Early-Week Road Test: Steel on the Back Line at St. John’s Prep

A few days later on the road, Hillcrest went toe-to-toe with St. John’s Prep in a match that was a fistfight for territory and tempo. For 40 minutes, it was deadlocked. Senior Sarah Diniz and Sophomore Maggie Mark marshaled the back line with composure, cutting out through balls and stepping bravely to challenges. Junior Dakota Campbell and Sophomore Isla Frobish probed the edges of the box.

The Johnnies finally broke through in the 63rd minute and struck again nine minutes later. Even then, the Comets refused to sag. Junior goalkeeper Mckinlee Ballweg was a wall, racking up 14 saves on the night, 26 for the season through two games, commanding her box and keeping Hillcrest within striking distance to the final whistle. The scoreboard read 0–2, but the film will show a team with teeth that battles every possession.

Across both games, the Comets’ identity is already clear: organized in the back field, tireless in midfield, and ruthless up front when chances come. They communicate, they cover for each other, and they play with an edge. When they get punched, they punch back. When momentum tilts, they grind to tilt it back. This is a squad that’s learning how to suffer together and surge together.