For the first time since soccer became a sanctioned sport in South Dakota, the Boys Gov’s team reached 8, then 9, then 10 wins. They also got the opportunity to host a home playoff game, and made the most of it, beating Spearfish 7-1 to advance to yesterday’s second round matchup versus Sioux Falls Lincoln. The Lincoln Patriots are arguably one of, if not the best team in the state. Their goal differential going into yesterdays match against Pierre was +39 (48-9).
Sean Blanchette’s team went into the match with a plan of patience, and that paid off early as they were able to take advantage of a patriot mistake and get an opportunity to score. Caiden Ahartz was able to get himself 1 vs. 1 with Patriot GK Quintin Hernes and punched it in to give the Govs an early 1-0 lead. The Patriots Mika Tomic tied it up shortly after and both teams dug their heals in defensively until the final whistle. Jacob Leiferman was the Baumann Lumber Player of the Game thanks to a few incredible saves between the pipes that kept it a tie game in regulation. The patriots scored the winning goal in the 1st minute of extra time and bled the clock out from there.
Speaking with Head Coach Sean Blanchette and Assistant Coach Ivan Blanchette postgame, they were beaming with pride about how their squad played. Not only in the game, but in the season. After the extra-time loss, Sean Blanchette said, “We are so proud of our guys. They just took the best team in the state to extra-time. How could you not be happy about that.”
Looking ahead to next year, a large number of starters will be returning to continue on as the nucleus of the program.
Comments