Esko-Carlton Girls Pick Up Third Straight Win

Wes Vork-NSO

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Sept 10, 2012

Wes Vork-NSO

After starting the season with a win, the Esko-Carlton girls soccer team lost three straight games. In a sign that things are coming together just fine for the defending section champion Eskomos, they cruised to a 4-0 win over visiting Grand Rapids on Monday to win their third straight game.

Kailee Katt got things started for the Esko-Carlton when she let loose with a ball from past the 30 yard line at the 13:48 mark of the first period, picking up the unassisted goal and giving the Eskomos a 1-0 lead. Next it was Erika Shady scoring at 18 minutes in to increase the lead to 2-0 with the assist going to Brooke Schramm. Constant pressure in the Grand Rapids end led to yet a third goal for the Eskomos when Dallas Cossalter scored with the assist going to Erica Shady to give Esko-Carlton the 3-0 lead going into the break.

The Eskomos picked up an additional goal with just 51 seconds remaining in the contest when Elle Emanuel made a rush and was challenged out near the left corner of the field by the Thunderhawks goalie. Emanuel was able to get to the ball first and get it across to the front of the net where Kailey Burr was able to get the chip in.

After making their second ever state tournament appearance in 2011, the Eskomo faced replacing several key players. One of those was mainstay goalkeeper Rachael Ofstie; that job went to Junior DeAhna Kulas. Kulas has found the groove as of late, giving up just one end of the game meaningless goal during the Eskomos win streak.

“She (Kulas) has become much more confident in past three games” Esko-Carlton Head Coach Nicole Peterson commented to Northland Sports Online. “She is much more decisive on when to come out of the goal and is playing very well for us.”

The win pushes the Eskomos record into positive territory at 4-3 on the season. They will host Hermantown on Thursday in a huge sectional match-up. The Hawks currently have a 6-1-1 record and play Grand Rapids on Tuesday before traveling to Esko for the Thursday contest.

Wes Vork can be reached at wes@northlandsportsonline.com