Lumberjacks win Third Straight Section Crown

NSO- News Release

When the Cloquet – Carlton Lumberjacks won the section 7 title a year ago it was
bitter sweet as the Lumberjack won their second straight title but alas there was
no state tournament, as with Covid and guidelines that there would be no fall
state tournaments under directive of the MSHSL the victory sure put that taste of
not finishing something they started.
With the MSHSL adding another class to soccer the Lumberjacks again took that
challenge to heart and with hard work and determination the Lumberjacks would
defeat the North Branch Vikings 3-0 Tuesday night at PSS and advance to their 9 th
state soccer tournament next week in the twin cities.
The Lumberjacks would score first when Alexa Snesrud put the ball past net
minder Sharis Garcia-Velazquez at the 30 minute mark to give the Lumberjacks a
1-0 lead.
“We came out a little nervous” head Coach Dustin Randall said, “but once we got
that first goal the girls really settled down and had fun.”
The Lumberjacks controlled most of the pay in the first half pressuring the Vikings
with every opportunity, and shutting down one of the top scorers in the state Ava
Gerten.
The first half ended with the Lumberjacks holding a 1-0 lead and if not for some
outstanding saves made by North Branch goal keeper Cloquet-have had a bigger
lead at the break.
“We used our quickness and speed to keep the pressure up in the second half and
it frustrated the Vikings as they failed to mount a strong offensive challenge in the
second half,” Randall said.
The Lumberjacks Olivia McCaulay scored her first goal of the season midway
through the second half when a blocked shot came back to her and her and she
sent a shot over the out stretched hand of Garcia-Velazquez to make it 2-0.

The Lumberjacks sealed the contest with just under four minutes remaining in the
second half Olivia Jameson scored her 2 nd goal of the season on a free kick and
going over the goal keepers extended hand and into the back of the net.
With the victory the Lumberjacks improved to 16-2 on the season and now
advance to the state tournament next week. The soccer tournament begins with
quarterfinal action on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of next week. Times
and location will be determined after the seeding are established for the
tournament.