2009 MN State HS Soccer Boys 1A Semifinal – Hermantown’s Comnick to the Rescue
The second match of the boys’ 1A Semifinal saw the Hermantown Hawks (21-1-0) take on the Simley Spartans (18-1-4). The game started slowly with both teams feeling the other out.
Ten minutes into the match things started winding up with both teams taking shots and testing each other’s keepers. 15 minutes into the game, Hermantown took a wicked shot at Simley keeper Andrew Nelson. Nelson stopped the ball but it rebounded out to the top of box and Kevin Danielson was waiting. He took a great half volley shot and the 20 yard rocket found its way past Nelson and into the back of the Simley net, putting the Hawks up 1-0.
The score remained in Hermantown’s favor until a minute before half. That’s when Oja Ena turned the tide. Ena had been the last minute hero in Friday night’s game against Austin. This time it was a long through ball from Ben Royce. Oja got behind his defender with speed. Then, with the ball bouncing in his path, he hit a hard half-volley past Hermantown goalkeeper Andrew Samberg, bringing the score even.
Simley had a slight advantage at half with 8 shots to Hermantown’s 6. But the Hawks brought that even in the second half. However, Simley did show the better possession as they continued to attack Hermantown’s goal. But the Hawks kept fighting and in the final 5 minutes went on the attack themselves.
Then with one minute left to play, All-State midfielder Charlie Comnick hit a diagonal ball to Brandon Crusan who was making a run from the left side. He cut his defender and went back to the inside and set himself up with a perfect shot. Crusan went hard and low to the far post and slid it under Nelson for the game winner.
Hermantown was able to kill the 60 seconds and win themselves a trip the Class 1A Final at 12:30 on Thursday against the Mahtomedi Zephyrs.
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