Proctor Tops Marshall 1-0 Moves To 9-0 On The Season

Wes Vork-NSO

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Sept 16

Wes Vork-NSO

PROCTOR – As the old saying goes, “if you want respect, you have to earn it.” Based on that criteria, the Proctor boys soccer team should have the respect of the entire area soon. The Rails are now an area best 9-0 after beating Duluth Marshall 1-0 at home on Thursday.

After an intense first half in which neither team was able to score, it looked like the second half would be more of the same. Senior Donovan DeBartolo made sure that didn’t happen however, when at the 65:00 mark, he jumped on a loose ball in front of the Marshall net and beat the goalkeeper with a perfectly placed kick to the top corner. Fellow senior Chris Carlson picked up the assist on the play.

Duluth Marshall was able to mount a few challenges in the final 15 minutes but was unable to score, giving the Rails their third win this week. Monday they beat Superior 6-0 then got by the Eveleth-Gilbert Golden Bears 1-0 on Tuesday.

Proctor Head Coach Jesse Smith was happy with the effort of his troops. “Those guys were ready to play tonight. They have been looking forward to this game all week. We had to make sure their minds were on the two games earlier this week.”

While Smith is happy with the way the Rails have started the season, he is more impressed with the constant improvement his team is making. “There are always things to work on, what’s important is the fact that we keep looking better as the season goes on.” Smith commented. So far this season Proctor has shut out its opponents in seven of nine contests while outscoring them 36-2.

Smith is quick to point out the reason for the team’s success is that the main group of players have bonded and made the commitment to play summer soccer. “These guys have played together year after year, out of the 14 regular players 12 have played in summer leagues since
U-13’s,” He added.

The upcoming week the Rails will be put to the test when once again they will play three games in a week. Monday, in a battle of the area’s top two teams Proctor hosts Class AA Duluth East. Adding to the intrigue of this game is the fact that four of Proctor’s players were teammates with the Duluth East summer soccer players. Tuesday brings perennial power Grand Rapids to town and on Thursday Proctor will travel to Cloquet to take on the Rival Lumberjacks.

Wes Vork can be reached at wes@northlandsportsonline.com