Lumberjacks secure another state bid

A once-in-a-lifetime astrological event, a streaking comet called Tsuchinshan-Atlas, was witnessed in Tuesday night's sky, just after sunset. At that same time a more frequent event was occurring; the Cloquet-Esko-Carlton boys soccer team won a fourth-consecutive Section 7AA title in a shootout against Hermantown.

The Lumberjacks 7AA win was decided in penalty kicks after 100 minutes of intense soccer, highlighted by long throws, equalizing goals and stout defense.

CEC's Collin Young scored the opening goal from a Max Sundquist long throw into the box in the 20th minute. Young was kept out of the section semifinal match with an injury and brought CEC an obvious boost in his return against Hermantown.

"I don't want to say routine but it definitely happens a lot it seems [scoring], and it's fun doing it," Young said.

Young's effort was the lone goal of a sharp Lumberjacks' first half. Hermantown had stretches of dangerous play but had to contain constant CEC pressure and attacks.

The second half of the story was written by both sides.

Hermantown signed their name on the game in the 49th minute, when captain Owen Landrigan tied it at 1-1 after the Hawks caught the CEC defense in a moment of disarray.

The Lumberjacks' response came two minutes later, in the 51st minute, from Hudson Snesrud off yet another Sundquist long throw into the Hermantown 18-yard box. Sundquist's throws have been a key feature in the CEC offense during the last couple seasons, and they certainly made a difference Tuesday.

"I never knew how huge they were [long-throws] until other teams started doing it," Sundquist said. "I can just pick exactly where I want it with my hands, it's like throwing a football."

The celebration didn't last long. Hermantown surged in the last 29 minutes of regular time. CEC was forced to defend and try more counter-attacking. Potent pressure on the Lumberjacks led to a late 76th minute equalizer from Gavin Simonson.

After the regular 80 minutes expired at 2-2, the teams braced for two 10-minute overtimes. Besides a few freekick scares, the Lumberjacks returned to dominating during overtime. Snesrud came close when his shot found the crossbar and glanced off in the 85th minute. The senior said he was confident the CEC team could win.

"I'll never be down on our team, ever," Snesrud said. "I think we have the utilities to do amazing things."

CEC coach John Sundquist knew the overtime performance was key to regain momentum before penalties.

"You've got to withstand the storm, especially when that ball goes in. I think they got together and were smart, calmed themselves down and got through," Sundquist said.

Penalties were the last step on the way to the Lumberjacks' fourth consecutive state appearance.

Sundquist had players taking penalties after practice and they had been sorting out their order and strategy. It was no foreign affair for the team.

"They were ready and I don't think we overprepared," Sundquist said.

Each team scored their first penalty shot. CEC scored and got a save from goalkeeper Preston Strang on the second: 2-1 Lumberjacks. Both teams failed to score on their third attempts.

Hermantown now needed to save the Lumberjacks' fourth for a chance to shoot again. Max Sundquist stepped up and put the Hawks away, triggering an onslaught of teammates celebrating around him. The final score in penalties was 4-2, CEC.

Sundquist left the pitch with two assists and a game-winning penalty. After the game, he spoke about team mentality and reaching yet another state tournament.

"Knowing who we are. As of a few years ago, we weren't the big dog yet, but the culture that's been grown - we're a big dog now," Max said. "We've got to know we can compete at that top level."

Coach Sundquist said "all eyes are on state," but gave kudos to the Hermantown team for a championship-level performance.

"Just an amazing group of kids. We thought they'd be down a little this year but they ended up being better. We knew that. We knew they were going to be really, really tough."

Semifinal triumph

CEC beat Duluth Denfeld 2-1 in a Section 7AA semifinal match Thursday, Oct. 10. Both Lumberjacks' goals came from freshman Jordan Sewell. The semifinal also saw senior captain Ben Schramm tear his ACL. Schramm expressed his confidence in the team without him, saying younger players have shown up in his absence.

Snesrud said it's always a whole-team effort.

"We need our whole entire bench to be active because you never know when you're gonna get thrown into a game," he said. "Jordan, a freshman, made two great goals in the semifinal."

State tournament pairings are expected to be announced this weekend.