Comets Band Together for Gritty Win Over Pelican Rapids
Comets Girls’ soccer continues to prove that they are more than just competitors, they’re a resilient, tight-knit squad who know what needs to be done and decisively deliver. On Monday, the Comets traveled to Pelican Rapids to face the Vikings and left with a commanding 2–0 win, built on confidence, unity, and gritty play from the opening whistle to the final horn.
From the start, the Comets fought for midfield control with the poise of a team that trusts each other. Captain Alexa Ewan directed the flow of the game, guiding midfielders Lauren Markovetz and Danna Rodriguez to create chances for forwards Kaia Fiskness and Isla Frobish. Midway through the first half, defensive captain Paisley Garvin launched a perfectly timed through ball from the back line to find Fiskness, decisive in her run, breaking through the Vikings’ defense and coolly slotting the ball past the keeper to put Hillcrest up 1–0.
The Comets’ stout defense showed the same resilient spirit as their attacking teammates on the offensive side. Captains Sarah Diniz and Paisley Garvin organized defenders Maggie Mark and Avery Uselman to deny the Vikings any equalizing opportunities, while keeper Mckinlee Ballweg anchored with commanding saves to keep the halftime advantage intact. The Comets stood around Head Coach Jeremy Forrester with an earned 1-0 lead to tighten their approach to the game.
Hillcrest came out of the huddle determined not just to defend, but to put the game away. Forwards Dakota Campbell and Mari Fjeldskaar pushed the tempo up the wings, keeping constant pressure in the Vikings’ defensive third. The Vikings countered, forcing the back to the Comets' half, and eventually earned a late penalty kick with nine minutes to play. Ballweg, already in the midst of a standout night, read the strike and dove left for a stunning save. The stop kept Ballweg’s third clean sheet in tact for the season. Minutes later, Rodriguez seized a throw-in opportunity, finding Frobish, who settled and chipped the ball over the keeper for a decisive second goal that sealed the Comets’ victory.
It was a performance that showcased everything this team is becoming: gritty, resilient, and steadfast in their commitment to one another. Ballweg finished with twelve saves, and the Comets fired seventeen shots at goal as they improved their record to 4–3. The JV squad mirrored their varsity teammates’ performance, posting a 5–1 win with strong play from keepers Gracie Gaines and Leah Ravenscraft.
The Comets return home to face Bemidji on Thursday at Danielsen Field.