•  Lakers fall to Otters in opener, but top Heritage Christian, Saturday

The Minnewaska boys soccer team opened up the season Thursday, Aug. 22 with a 4-1 loss at Fergus Falls followed by the home opener against Heritage Christian, Saturday, Aug. 24, which ended up being a 2-1 Laker victory.

The soccer team, which was 6-6-4 last year, graduated five key players from last year’s team, including the Golden Boot, Most Assists Award, The Engine Award and the Goal of the Season awardwinners from 2023.

The Lakers are set for another game at home, Monday, Aug. 26 against Hillcrest before taking a week off to prepare for a game at Little Falls, Tuesday, Sept. 3.

•  This year’s Minnewaska Area varsity boys soccer roster includes seniors Tenzin Dahl, Jackson Holmes, Morgan Meyer and Riley Thorfinnson; juniors Riley Week, Ryan Greseth, Lane Curry, Lucas Curry and Connor Erickson; sophomores Caden Christensen, Cale Johnsrud, Marshall Kopp, Carter LeClair and Tydan Stewart; and ninth-graders Owen Greene and Soren Jergenson.

“There will be many new faces,” coach David Vinje said.  “We graduated multiple players who were 3-4 year varsity starters, so we will be very ‘green’ this season.”

Fergus Falls 4, Waska 1

The Lakers fell to Fergus Falls in the opener Thursday, 4-1.  The Otters went up 1-0 midway through the first half before the Lakers scored their first goal of the season on a Fergus Falls own goal, created by Owen Green’s free kick from 40 yards out.

Fergus Falls scored the only three goals of the second half to earn the 4-1 win. 

Minnewaska Area was outshot 11-4 with Riley Week making seven saves for the Lakers.

“It was very much a first-game type atmosphere and performance by our team,” coach Vinje said.  “We are blending a new group together with varying levels of experience.  It will be fun to see what we are capable of this season.  We definitely learned some things against Fergus.”

Waska 2, Heritage 1

The Lakers earned their first victory of the season with a 2-1, come-from-behind win at home against Heritage Christian, Saturday afternoon.

Heritage went up 1-0 on a goal 15 minutes into the game, but Minnewaska Area had its chances in the first half with two close-range shots that were stopped by the Heritage goalie.

The Lakers, who had a 14-8 shots-on-goal advantage, finally broke free with a goal at the 66-minute mark when Connor Erickson headed in a corner kick from Owen Greene.

Five minutes later, Caden Christensen scored unassisted off a scramble inside penalty area off another corner kick.

Marshall Kopp made his varsity debut in net for the Lakers, stopping seven of the eight shots he faced to earn the win.

“It was an excellent effort from the guys today,” coach Vinje said.  “We managed to keep the ball much more effectively than our previous game and created dangerous situations that resulted in great chances.  Eventually, the hard work was rewarded with goals.”

at Fergus Falls 4, Waska 1

Minnewaska (0-1) 1 0 — 1

Fergus Falls 1 3 — 4

First half:  (1) FF-29:30 . . . (2) Min-Fergus Falls own goal created by Owen Green’s free kick, 1:30

Second half:  (3) FF 32:00 . . . (4) FF 16:48 . . . (5) FF 2:19

Shots on goal:  Minnewaska 4, Fergus Falls 11

Goalie saves:  Riley Week 7 saves

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at Waska 2, Heritage 1

Heritage 1 0 — 1

Minnewaska (1-1) 0 2 — 2

First half:  (1) Her-15:00

Second half:  (2) Min-Connor Erickson (Owen Greene) 66:00 . . . (3) Min-Caden Christensen, 71:00

Shots on goal:  Minnewaska 14, Heritage 8

Goalie saves:  Marshall Kopp 8 saves

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