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NB2, Grand Rapids 1

Seeded 13th in the Section 7A playoffs, the Vikings (3-13-1) pulled off a huge upset, beating fourth-seeded Grand Rapids (7-5-5) 2-1 at Grand Rapids Thursday, October 11. Some observers said it was the biggest win in the history of North Branch girls' soccer.

Except for a few short set-backs, the Vikings' 2007 regular season was characterized by the steady improvement of a very young team. And the best was yet to come. Heading into the playoffs, the Vikings had played what head coach Peter Grand called their "best defensive game of the season" in a 1-0 loss to the Irondale Knights.

But the Vikings didn't get any breaks - they got a low seed and had to head north to play a very good defensive team that played a physical style. And the game turned out to be a physical battle. But, to the surprise of most observers, the Vikings came out on the better end.

The game started as expected as the Thunderhawks relentlessly attacked the North Branch goal. But Viking senior co-captain Kristen Kaminski got a breakaway and scored on a well-placed shot in the lower corner.

The Thunderhawks, clearly rattled by the unexpected turn of events, started to put even more pressure on the North Branch goal. The Viking defense, led by juniors Brittany Vilaysack and Kayla Obitz, played well. And sophomore goalkeeper Rikki Beaver made some spectacular saves to keep the ball out of the net. The Thunderhawks were finally able to break through and tied it shortly before halftime.

At halftime, Grand told his team that, coming into the game as the total underdogs, they had nothing to lose, so they might as well go out and win.

An inspired group of Vikings took the field in the second half. Kaminski scored her second goal of the game just minutes after the break and, from that moment on, it was all defense and goalkeeping for the Vikings.

"Thirty five minutes can be very long when you are waiting for the final whistle," said Grand. "And 200 plus Grand Rapids fans against a handful of North Branch supporters can normally make a difference too. But not this night!"

Viking Jessica Audette nearly scored on a rare breakaway, but was stopped when she was fouled in the Thunderhawks' penalty area. She should have been awarded a penalty kick, but the referee swallowed his whistle.

Ultimately, the Vikings did not need that third goal and came away with a thrilling 2-1 victory.

After the game, Grand said, "When one of the seniors told me after the game that this win was the unbeatable reward for four years of high school soccer and asked me if she could give me a hug, I had tears in my eyes. This game was the highlight of a very encouraging season."

Two Harbors 4, NB 1

Two days later, the Vikings headed north again, this time to meet with the fifth-seeded Two Harbors Agates in the quarterfinals. The Agates came out on top, winning 4-1 to end the Vikings' season.

Maybe it was the second long ride in just three days or the empty tank after the hard fight in Grand Rapids, but the girls from North Branch could not come up with another upset, even though they started the game strong.

Senior co-captain Kristen Kaminski almost scored five minutes into the game. But the Agates scored three goals later in the first half. Sophomore Bradi Herdina brought a little hope back to the Vikings when she scored a beautiful goal on a breakaway.

The last 10 minutes of the first half were all North Branch, but they couldn't put another one away. Any momentum the Vikings had in the second half was stifled by a terrible collision between Viking senior co-captain Kristen Robatcek and a senior from Two Harbors. Both players had to be taken to the hospital. After losing a top player, the Vikings were not able to get anything going. The Agates scored one more goal to make the final score Two Harbors 4, North Branch 1.

Grand said, "All that really mattered after the incident on the field was that both players were okay. The coaching staff of Two Harbors and a physician who was present did a great job helping me with my player 'til the ambulance arrived. Our thoughts were with Kristen all the way back to North Branch and it is good to know that she is on her way to recovery.

"I am really proud of what we have achieved this season and I would like to thank all my players for their great commitment, attitude, and integrity. I will truly miss my seniors and wish them all the best for their post-high school lives," coach Grand concluded.

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