Lumberjacks topple East, former coach

Last week's Cloquet-Esko-Carlton boys soccer matchup versus Duluth East was a head-turner, as fans of the program got to see an old coach in new colors.

Greyhounds head coach, and former CEC coach, Dave Bergan returned to Bromberg Field Sept. 12 for the first time as another team's coach.

With him came late-goal drama and a 2-1 Lumberjacks win over the Greyhounds.

The Lumberjacks found their way early, in the fifth minute, as Collin Young touched his way around the Greyhounds goaltender to net the first goal for Cloquet.

Duluth East wouldn't let the half end there. In the 38th minute, the Greyhounds' Jack Whitehall settled the ball in the box, took aim and powerfully put away the equalizing goal. The first half ended at 1-1.

The Lumberjacks came out the sharper side in the second half: playing fast, winning lots of challenges and 50-50 balls. CEC's strong run of play led to Young receiving the ball in a crowded Greyhounds' 18-yard box and again finding the net, for his second go-ahead goal of the night.

The two-goal night brought Young's tally to 13 on the season.

"I've got a good team around me and I feel like they're putting me in some really good chances," Young said. "We found a good system to get me in the right position to score a lot."

With the final minute counting down in the matchup, Duluth-East swung in a ball from a set piece; the result was a scrum in the box, ending with Cloquet seeming to concede a second, tying goal. But the referee immediately signaled no-goal after an East player took out Cloquet goaltender Preston Strang on the play. A free kick was awarded to the Lumberjacks. The match finished seconds after play restarted with a 2-1 'Jacks victory.

Though the score was close, CEC head coach John Sundquist's players kept their heads in a confident win over the Class AAA Greyhounds side.

"I know it's big for the boys, and then adding Bergan back in the mix, it adds an extra element. You try not to get too wrapped up in one game, and I thought we did really well here," Sundquist said. "You get so few big games like this. You think all games are big, but some of them have a little bit more."

It was certainly exciting for one Cloquet forward - Young grabbed both of CEC's goals, which brought his goal tally to 13 on the season.

Young believes CEC has a winning formula, and they have set a high goal for themselves. "State championship - always look as high as you can," he said after the game. "We've been playing together, and we've been winning together. I think that's definitely been bringing up the expectation."

With a 2-1 win against Grand Rapids Saturday and 2-1 defeat of Superior Tuesday, CEC improved to 7-3 on the season. Their next home game is at 1 p.m. Saturday against Princeton.