The Agate girls soccer team won their third game of the season with a 4-0 win over Hibbing last Saturday at home. The season has also included wins over Princeton and Mesabi East and losses to Grand Rapids and Duluth Denfeld. Coach Brice Hanson said the shutout of Mesabi East was terrific because, “Our JV kids came in, played well, and held them from scoring. We had a 1-0 lead over Denfeld deep into the second half.
They are a big, physical team and just wore us down as they scored two goals in the last ten minutes of the game to earn the win”. Senior Grace Swanson has recovered from a knee injury and is one of eight seniors on the team. The second year captain has been looking back on her career.
“I started playing varsity in eighth grade and I remember the ‘scary’ juniors and seniors teaching me, encouraging me and giving me rides. I want to be that person for the young girls we have on our team this year. My favorite part is teaching and coaching young players on the field.”
I asked Grace about her goals for her team this year: “We have a great team. We get along well and I hope we can maintain that closeness and improve together as the season progresses.” Coach Hanson added, “The highlight of the season thus far has not been a single moment, but the fact that the girls never quit.
When they are on the field, I never have to ask them to play harder or not to give up. No matter who they are playing, they each give everything they have”.
This is a challenging week for the Agates, hosting two area powers in Duluth East Tuesday and Cloquet on Thursday before ending the week with an 11:00 Saturday home game against North Lakes Academy.
