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Having finished the regular season league champs (10-1-1), the Chisago Lakes U12 boys soccer team earned the opportunity to secure an appearance in the state tournament with a victory in a one-game playoff against host team Northern Lights. The game took place on Thursday, July 15, and it was a closely played match that came down to the wire.

The Northern Lights squad proved a good one, and the first half was very evenly played, ending 0-0, despite numerous chances by the Wildcats. The second half started much like the first, and continued as the minutes ticked away. Excellent defense from both teams prevented either from breaking the tie.

Though his play was limited due to injury, minutes by forward Alex Brink would prove game-breaking. At roughly the 46th minute, Brink received a ball in the penalty area, squirted between two defenders, and was able to bury a goal, putting the Wildcats ahead 1-0.

Northern Lights spent the next fourteen minutes trying to erase that lead and had many chances. Good defense and superb goaltending from Austin Larson prevented that from happening. With Brink's well-timed goal, the Wildcats earned the right to skip both the district and regional playoffs, and instead will wait to face playoff winners at the state tournament, held the last week of July.

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