Rocori Outlasts Detroit Lakes to Advance in Boys Soccer Playoffs

DETROIT LAKES (KDLM) – The Laker boys soccer team fell in the first round of the Section 8AA playoffs on Thursday night, losing by a score of 4-3 to the Rocori Spartans. The game was tight throughout, which reflects the seeds the teams earned after strong regular seasons.

The Lakers entered play as the number four seed in the playoffs after finishing the regular season with an overall record of 11-5 and winning six of their final seven games. The Spartans entered the playoffs with a record of 7-9 overall.

The Spartans scored the game’s first goal with eight minutes left in the first when Alex Sonju scored on a rebound goal, beating Laker goalkeeper Evan Thomas. Around a minute later, the Lakers answered with senior forward Ethan Gjerde scoring from close range after receiving a pass from fellow senior Avery Young. The game was tied with around five minutes remaining when Sonju scored his second goal after a controversial penalty kick was awarded to the Spartans. Sonju’s second goal gave the Spartans a 2-1 lead. The Lakers once again answered right back before the halftime break when Young picked up his second assist of the game after a free kick was given to the Lakers. Young found Noah Meyer, who was crashing the net. The pass went high in the air and landed perfectly for Meyer to tie the game at 2-2.

In the second half, the Spartans retook the lead with a quick goal by Sonju in the first minute of the second half. The Lakers did not give up and scored with fifteen minutes to go when Noah Meyer scored his second goal of the game, this time scoring on a penalty kick. Rocori’s Tayden Metzger put the Spartans back in front with a tough angle shot that gave the Spartans the lead for good as Rocori held on for the final minutes to move on to the next round of the playoffs.

The Spartans will travel to St. Cloud Apollo on Tuesday night to take on the number one-seeded Eagles. The Eagles beat East Grand Forks on Tuesday night 14-0 to advance.

The loss ends DL’s season as they finish with an overall record of 11-6. Detroit Lakes will see eight players graduate from this year’s team.

The graduating seniors are:

Goalkeeper and Captain- Evan Thomas

Forward- Ethan Gjerde

Defense and Captain- Caden Reep

Midfielder- Bryce Skaaland

Midfielder- Davide Giambellini

Forward- Mason Frank

Defense and Captain- Nate Lembke

Midfielder- Avery Young

Other Section 8AA Games:

#8 East Grand Forks 0, #1 St. Cloud Apollo 14