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Chisago Lakes 0

North Branch 0

As Brett Kjos explains it, the game had a playoff atmosphere. Why not? Two rivals, both looking for a win with sections a week away. The formula screamed emotion.

To make it even more exciting, as the game went on, both North Branch and Chisago Lakes found themselves scoreless. The 60-minute mark passed- still scoreless, the end of regulation- still scoreless, the end of overtime- still scoreless. Neither team could solve the other as the game ended in a tie. A very entertaining tie.

“It had a playoff atmosphere, it was such a fun game. Back and forth, it was really fun,” said Brett Kjos, Chisago Lakes head girls soccer coach.

“Individually, Lauren Anderson and Genna Wachutka really played well for us on defense. For Lauren, that was the best game I’ve seen her play, she was just awesome. I was really pleased. We had a couple junior varsity players come up. It was fun just to get them some time. I think they had a great time with that.”

With the tie, the Wildcats won the season series with North Branch, finishing with a win and a tie. The victory came back in September, winning 2-1. A third meeting could be in the works as well. Depending on how the two teams are seeded in sections, stranger things have happened.

Mpls. Washburn 3

Chisago Lakes 1

A week before the ‘Cats and North Branch locked horns, Chisago Lakes hosted Minneapolis Washburn, falling 3-1.

The Wildcats played Washburn even in the first half. Natasha Lietzau got the ‘Cats on the board with a first half goal, scoring from senior Lexi Medellin. The game was tied 1-1 at the half.

However, Washburn pressed on the accelerator in the second half, outscoring Chisago 2-0 down the stretch, securing a 3-1 win. The loss dropped the ‘Cats season record to 5-6 overall.

“It was a nice game for us. They had a couple speedy forwards and they did a nice job getting the ball up to them,” remarked Kjos. “They were just the better team that day. It was really a game between two evenly matched teams. They probably had more shots, and as always, Brittany Linehan was solid in net.”

Monticello 6

Chisago Lakes 0

After a loss to Washburn and a tie against North Branch, last Saturday, the Wildcats returned to the field against a tough Monticello team, tired after their scoreless tie with the Vikings the night before.

That fatigue showed early and often.

“We were a little tired. In the second half, we played how I thought we should’ve played the entire game. We did the things we needed to do. That was a big plus,” replied Kjos.

That was the second half. The first half was a little more difficult. Monticello started the game with five goals in the first, more than enough to secure a 6-0 win. The loss moved the ‘Cats record to 5-7-1.

“I was glad that the girls did change how they were playing at halftime,” said Kjos. “They took it upon themselves to change. I was pleased with how they stepped up.”

Minnehaha Academy 7

Chisago Lakes 0

As the week went on, the road just kept getting tougher. On the heels of a 6-0 loss to Monticello, last Monday, Chisago followed that up with a 7-0 loss to Minnehaha Academy, the fourth best team in the state Class A.

They showed why, scoring five goals in the first, then adding two more in the second en route to a 7-0 win.

Meanwhile, for the third straight game, the Wildcats were held without a goal.

“We saw what it was like to play high level soccer,” smiled Kjos. “They are a fast team with great skills. They shot the ball 100 miles per hour. The first half, they were dominating. In the second, we made some adjustments. Those defensive adjustments really helped. We were pleased with that, those small steps in the right direction.”

Now 5-8-1 on the season, the ‘Cats have two more games before sections begin next week. Kjos is hoping to run the table, putting them in the area of a sixth or seventh seed.

“Hopefully against Zimmerman, we can put it all together and have it show up in not only the goal column but also the win column,” replied Kjos. “The kids are right on the edge, their right there. We’ve been trying to get over the hump the last couple of weeks, but it has been a challenge. If we’re going to get it going, now is the time.”

Chisago will host Zimmerman on Thursday, then travel to Cambridge-Isanti on Saturday.

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