Hillcrest entered Saturday afternoon with two wins this week already, but the Comets’ third match brought a different kind of test. Walker-Hackensack-Akeley would not go away quietly. Twice the Wolves erased a Hillcrest lead, twice they changed the feel of the match, and twice the Comets had to prove their momentum was more than a string of good bounces. By the final whistle, Hillcrest convinced the crowd that they weren’t the beneficiaries of fortunate events, and earned their 4-2 victory to move to 6-2 and gave them three wins in a demanding week.

Down 8-0 early. Down 16-6 in the second half. Then, after fighting all the way back to take the lead, the Comets watched Hancock return an interception for a touchdown to tie the game at 22-22.

Playing their first home match of the season Thursday night, the Comets swept Hancock in straight sets, 25-21, 25-13, 25-10, combining aggressive serving, improving net play, and a balanced offensive attack to earn another Little Eight Conference victory.

Maggie Mark stepped in front of a Viking pass, carried the ball through traffic, and unleashed a right-footed strike from outside the 18-yard box. The shot curled toward the upper corner and into the net, delivering the decisive goal in a dramatic 3-2 Hillcrest victory at Danielsen Field.

Hillcrest moved to 5–0 Monday night with a 4–0 road victory over East Grand Forks, using patience in the first half, an explosive start to the second, and another relentless defensive effort to keep their perfect season intact.

“Both teams came out ready to play,” Comet Head Coach Rod Jensen noted following the game. Looking back on the first half, it was clear Hillcrest has developed a sharper approach to soccer. The Comets pressured the ball aggressively, disrupted Fergus Falls before attacks could fully develop, and quickly transitioned from defense into dangerous scoring opportunities. That pressure paid off in the 18th minute.

The Hillcrest boys overwhelmed the Pirates 14-0 behind a relentless attack that produced 28 shots, while the girls broke through a stubborn Crookston defense late for a 2-0 victory. When the final whistle sounded, both Hillcrest teams had improved to 3-0 on the young season.

Behind deep defensive digs, controlled first passes, and precise setting from Stella Moline, Hillcrest’s hitters spent much of the night soaring above the net as the Comets powered past Rothsay 3–1 for their first victory of the 2026 season.

The Comets left Newfolden Friday night with a 14–8 victory over Northern Freeze, using 174 passing yards, four defensive sacks and a second-half defensive stand to survive a physical season opener.

The Comets’ 6-3 road win was impressive, in a match that was more competitive than the final score might suggest. Walker challenged Hillcrest through the midfield and stayed within striking distance for much of the first half, but the Comets kept finding ways to break through.

The Comets are not simply filling holes left by last year’s leaders. Players are stepping into those spaces and making them their own. Roles are getting bigger. Expectations are getting heavier. And through two games, Hillcrest is showing that it has players willing to carry both.

Hillcrest Lutheran Academy came out flying against Pelican Rapids over the weekend, scoring four goals from four different players, forcing turnovers across the field, and carrying a 2-0 halftime lead into a convincing 4-1 season-opening victory.

That tone was set on December 18 in Hancock, when Hillcrest opened what would become the toughest three-week stretch of the season with a hard-fought 60–57 road win. In a gym where every possession mattered and every rebound was contested, the Comets showed early signs of the toughness they knew would be required moving forward.

To this team, thank you for the resolve to elevate your family, faith, and your sport and bring us on an unforgettable journey.

To God be the glory.

This Saturday, the Comets will carry that legacy with them — stepping onto the field not only to chase a championship, but to continue a story that began long before them and, with God’s guidance, will continue long after.

great wins always come with drama. In the fourth quarter, Kittson County Central mounted a furious comeback, cutting the lead to six and bringing the stadium to a roar. The Comet rallied and played their most poised football of the season. As the Bearcats pushed one last time, optimistic they could charge for a decisive score that would bring them to the championship game, Berge stepped in front of a sideline pass and snatched the interception that sealed the game and sent the offense to the field to run out the clock.

Hillcrest’s serving was once again a major factor, as the Comets delivered 15 ace serves and kept constant pressure on the Raiders’ back row. Elsa Retzlaff opened the night with an 8-point serving run in the first set, setting the tone for an energetic and balanced performance.

“The gym was packed, and the Underwood pep band added so much to that playoff atmosphere, it was electric! The Rockets are a tough, well-coached team, and we have tremendous respect for how hard they competed,” Foss shared. “We were able to run our game plan, attack aggressively, and finish strong in three competitive sets.”

With their Blocktoberfest experience behind them and a week of focused preparation ahead, the Comets are eager to bring their home crowd to life when playoff action begins. Fans are encouraged to fill the stands at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 22, as Hillcrest hosts its first postseason matchup.

With the victory, Hillcrest secures the No. 1 seed in the section playoffs and will host the winner of Rothsay and Underwood next Saturday at 2 p.m. on John Luckey Field.