FERGUS FALLS, Minn. -- It's already different the second time around.
Fergus Falls girls soccer team is headed to a second consecutive Minnesota Class 1A state tournament following a
2-1 victory over St. Cloud Cathedral Thursday in the Section 8 finals.
But the Otters' reaction to this bid was markedly subdued.
"Both my assistant coaches and I noticed after the win the celebration was not what you'd think it would be," Fergus Falls coach Eric Van Sickle said. "They have their eyes on something further. They're now just more focused on business."
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After a scoreless first half, the Otters, who claimed a 20-11 shot advantage, broke through with a pair of goals by Anna Becklund and Kristin Spidahl just 10 minutes apart.
The Crusaders scored with 6 minutes remaining, but Fergus Falls keeper Lindsey Gaustad, who made 10 saves, held on for the victory.
Winners of eight consecutive games, the Otters (15-2-2) will face either Cloquet or Duluth Denfeld at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Maple Grove in the state quarterfinals.
Either way, the top seed is pleased to advance.
"The first half was very well played soccer," Van Sickle said. "They (the Crusaders) were an extremely, extremely physical team. We basically were able to hold our own and play our game, which is more of a finesse game.
"And our way prevailed."
FIRST HALF: No scoring.
SECOND HALF: 1, FF, Becklund, 48:05. 2, FF, Spidahl Barker) 58:15. 3, SCC, Engdahl, 74:00.
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SAVES: SCC, Lahr 18. FF, Gaustad 10.
