Magic top Jacks for Title

Kerry Rodd – NSO

An unbelievable run in the post season came to a close for the Cloquet-Esko-Carlton boys soccer team on Thursday night in the Section 7A championship game. The Jacks struggled in the first half and fell behind Monticello 2-0. CEC turned up the heat in the second half, but they were unable to beat Magic goalie Evan Bartlett and Monticello came out with the 2-0 victory.

The Magic got off to a quick start and scored goals in the 4th minute and the 32nd minute to go up 2-0. Monticello controlled much of the first half through their strong possession game, but the Jacks picked up their tempo in the second half and became more aggressive. The result was a better half of play, but CEC was unable to get a ball past Bartlett who was called on to make an impressive save against CEC’s Dalton Johnson that kept the Jacks off the board.

For the game the Jacks put six saves on Bartlett, but the star goalie slammed the door and notched his eighth shutout of the season.

The two first half goals for Monticello were scored on a deflection and a corner kick.