Toppers Strike Early in Victory

Kerry Rodd-NSO

It was a game of two halves yesterday when the Duluth Marshall Hilltoppers defeated Proctor 3-2 in girls soccer after Marshall raced out to a three zip lead in the first half and then had to hang on for the win as the Rails mounted a come-back that just fell short.

The Hilltoppers scored three goals in a seven minute span in the first half to sprint out to a 3-0. Megan Coughlan started the onslaught with a goal in the 28th minute and that was followed a minute later by an Allie McKenna score with Coughlan assisting. At the 35 minute mark the Hilltoppers moved ahead 3-0 when Coughlan notched her second goal of the game and things looked bleak for the Rails.

Proctor’s Lyndsay Burud finally got the Rails on the board in the 63rd minute with a goal that was assisted by Demi Behrandt. Things got real interesting in the 79th minute when Kailee Dagger pulled Proctor to within 3-2 on an assist by Lexi Dewall, but that would be all the Rails could muster the rest of the way.

Proctor goalie Madison Baker finished with 12 saves on 15 shots, while Hilltopper goalie Anna Thickens also had 12 saves on 14 shots.