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Chisago Lakes 2, North Branch 0

The Wildcats scored on a penalty kick with ten minutes left in the game to break a 0-0 tie, then added a second goal a few minutes later to make the final score Chisago Lakes 2, North Branch 0.

The outcome was the same as last season. The Vikings dominated a big part of the game and outshot the Wildcats, but at the end the Wildcat fans were the ones cheering.

The game certainly could have gone either way. A foul that looked like it might be inside the Chisago Lakes 18 yard box was moved outside, denying the Vikings a potential penalty kick. The, a physical clearance by a North Branch defender was ruled to be a penalty kick worthy foul. With only ten minutes left in the game, that was the decisive moment. The fact that the Wildcats added an insurance goal near the end was insignificant. "It was clear after the first half that whoever scored the first goal would win the game", Chisago Lakes Coach Chris Haggerty said after the game, and he proved to be prophetic.

This was a special game for Viking coach Peter Grand, who coached a U15 Girls team in Chisago Lakes this summer. He was very happy to see three of his players make the Wildcats' varsity roster. Grand said, smiling, "Some North Branch parents will have to get used to the fact that one of their own coaches is giving a warm welcome to some Chisago Lakes players before the game. I also share a very friendly relationship with Chisago Lakes coach Chris Haggerty. It's no surprise; we are both European."

Grand pointed out a big factor in the loss after the game: not believing in a comeback with ten minutes left. He said "This is a mental issue we will have to work on and if the girls needed proof that in soccer everything is possible and a game is not over until it's over, then they were given that proof in the boys game that followed." In that game, Viking Brian Grand scored with less than two seconds left to send the game into overtime.

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