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North Branch 1

PACT 0

September, 21 2004. Brad Gustafson’s first win as a varsity head coach.

More importantly for Gustafson and his team, it was the Vikings first win of the season. Well deserved.

After a slew of hard fought-hard luck games, the North Branch boys soccer team finally tasted victory last Tuesday, defeating PACT 1-0. No question, the Vikings defense was the story as senior goalkeeper Nate Harrington and his defensemen posted a shutout.

Thanks to their defense, the Vikings only needed one score to grab the win and it came in the second half off the foot of Travis Olson. That’s all it took.

“These guys, this team, has been going hard since early August. Each practice and every game they set out to win. I’m glad they earned it,” said Gustafson. “The team has come a long way and have been through a lot this year. The way they played against Chisago, and this win, are just the beginning.

“We have been trying some new things defensively and the guys have responded well,” continued Gustafson. “I think now that the guys have tasted victory, they will even more hungry. They’ve always had heart and now they have hunger too.”

Concordia Academy 4

North Branch 2

When you’re hungry, it makes it that much harder when you can’t eat. In other words, after winning their first game of the season earlier in the week, the Vikings returned to action last Friday, only to fall to Concordia Academy 4-2.

Concordia established themselves right from the start, mounting a 3-1 lead at halftime. In the second, the Vikings charged back offensively, scoring their second goal of the game thanks to another Olson goal. Down 3-2, North Branch continued to put the pressure on, however the Beacons added a late goal, securing a 4-2 win. Concordia’s final goal came on a controversial call. North Branch was called on a high kick resulting in a Beacon free kick. It went in, moving the score to 4-2, all but ending the Vikings comeback hopes.

“That was the third game in a row where the team has come out and played well,” remarked Gustafson. “We definitely had our chances to win and we can’t rely on always getting the calls we want on the field. I walked away from the game proud as the guys picked it up in the second half.”

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