Hawks top Wildcats for section Title

Kerry Rodd-NSO

   Barely three minutes into their Section 7A boys soccer championship game the Hermantown Hawks found themselves trailing 1-0 to the #1 seeded team Chisago Lakes.  Undaunted, the #6 seeded Hawks bounced back to grab a 3-1 over the Wildcats and advance to the Minnesota State High School State Tournament next week.

Trevor Gervais gave Chisago Lakes the lead on an unassisted goal in the third minute.  The game changed in the 22nd minute when a Wildcat player was given a red card, which includes an automatic ejection, after the player knocked away a kick by a Hawk player with his hand.  Daniel Hedstrom capitalized on the following penalty kick for Hermantown and the Hawks had not only tied the game, but they had a literal man advantage the rest of the game.

Siji Gonzalez knocked home another goal for the Hawks just eight minutes after the Hedstrom goal and Hermantown held a 2-1 edge entering halftime.

Gonzalez added another goal in the second half in the 43rd minute and that would virtually ensure the victory for the Hawks.

Hermantown got a solid effort from goalie Josh Lenard who made nine saves on 10 shots, while the Hawks put 10 shots on Ian Lawlor who finished with seven saves for the Wildcats.