Football: St. Cloud Tech vs. Alexandria in Division 8 A.A. In the battle of the top teams, he lost his first – Alexandria Echo Press

ALEXANDRIA — Two girls soccer programs that looked like early contenders in the Section 8AA field met Thursday night in Alexandria, and St. Cloud Tech used a strong first half to earn a win in its first season opener.

The Cardinals (5-1) entered the game having dominated most of their opponents this season. They beat Morehead, Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, Little Falls and St. Cloud Apollo by a combined score of 25-2. The Tigers (4-1-1) did it defensively, too, allowing more than one goal just once in their opening six games in a 3-2 loss to East Grand Forks — another team outside of Class 8AA.

That’s why the Tigers held a two-goal lead when St. Cloud Tech handed the Cardinals their first loss in the finals, 2-0.

“I would say it was what we expected as far as the tournament,” Alexandria head coach Amy Kornta said. “I think we had a really good possession, and a couple of unfortunate goals (conceded). I think of them and East Grand Forks (being good) in our division…we didn’t play poorly. We couldn’t capitalize on opportunities.”

The Tigers got on the board in the 20th minute with a corner kick that went close to the goal and beat the Alexandria defender. Not long after that, sophomore Molly Burkstrand found enough space to fire a hard shot past Alexandria keeper Sophia Vinje inside the left post.

“The first one was on a corner kick, and that’s where our player was at that post,” Corinta said. “He failed to make contact with the ball. He came out of her and went in, so she was in the place we wanted. The second goal was a long shot and I don’t think we were ready for a shot.

Alexandria began to apply more pressure in the second half, but Tech senior goalkeeper Abby Wright was able to withstand the challenge. Ella Westlund went to her knees to cover a shot from the right side. Wright faced players in front of the net after taking a corner kick for the Cardinals with 22 minutes remaining.

Alexandria’s best chance was cut in half with 16:25 left. Junior Elle Heidt missed a free kick when the ball bounced up and out of the goal line. At the end of the game, Wright saved another corner kick from Alexandria who shot in front of her.

“She saved what she had. I give her credit,” Korynta said of Wright’s goal for the Tigers. “I wouldn’t say they tested her too much. Can she get high? Can she go lower? I don’t know if we were putting the ball as well as we had some games. Again, it’s something to work on. Hurry up, hurry up, hurry up, hurry up, hurry up Sooner or later).

Eric Morken / Alexandria Echo Press

Korynta definitely felt like it was the most physical game of the season for Alexandria so far. Many players hit the floor throughout the night as both teams battled hard after the ball.

“This is football,” Korynta said. “You have to be able to play physical, play aggressive. I’m not saying any of it was cheap, it was aggressive and physical.”

St. Cloud Tech has the athletes to match the Cardinals’ speed. Now Korynta is eager to see how her team will respond after their first loss.

“No one likes to lose, but you learn a lot by losing,” she said. “What should we do?” We can analyze it. We’d rather lose now than play games, so it’s a growing process. Losing sucks, but at the end of the day, it’s an opportunity to grow. said Ella Westlund, one of our captains. Now she said, ‘Use this opportunity to grow yourselves.’ The season is not over, and it is a process. We have to finish and take chances.

There’s still plenty of regular season left, but the Section 8AA field now looks like a competitive one with the top three teams. East Grand Forks joins the Tigers and Cardinals with a 2-0-1 overall record and a win over St. Cloud Tech on Thursday against Moorhead. East Grand Forks defeated 8AA rival Little Falls 7-0 in its season opener.

Thursday was just one game into the regular season opener, and the Cardinals are confident they’ll be right up there with any team by the end of the season.

“We can’t let it affect confidence,” Korynta said. “You take the things that didn’t go our way and use it to learn from practice. I think as soon as that game comes, we’re going to be confident, we’re going to be ready. We were ready tonight. I thought we came out strong. We just have to find a way to put the ball in the net.”