The 2018 Chain of Lakes Soccer Club, the Roosters, high school team. Back row, from left, Branson Jensen (Kimball), Carl Blanchard (Kimball), Wyatt Schmidt (EV-W), Gabriel Voss (Paynesville), Avery Karol (Paynesville), (Joe Monge (EV-W), and Jacob Beck (Kimball). Middle row, Jose Anaya (Paynesville), Alex Ertl (EV-W), Lucas Good (Paynesville), Elise Schmidt (EV-W), coach Ramon Arce, Ryli Laage (BBE), Julian Chavez (Paynesville), and Cory Zimmerman (EV-W). Front row, Chase Wright (BBE), Noah Voss (Paynesville), Rene Quintanilla (Paynesville), Caden Waite (EV-W), Jordin Chavez (Paynesville), and Alder Ertl (EV-W). Not pictured is George Matua (Kimball). The Roosters is comprised of players from several local school districts, and their home is Paynesville. Their final game of the season will have been played Tuesday this week. Photo courtesy of k.la photography.
As the soccer season winds down, the temps drop and the sun sets earlier, which can make for some very unusual games. On Thursday, Oct. 11 the Chain of Lakes Roosters soccer team made their annual trip over to Cambridge to play the Cambridge Christian School Warriors. It was a cold and windy day, not ideal for any outdoor activity, but the game must go on.
The game started out slow as both teams tested each other, but the Roosters finally broke through on a breakaway goal by George Matua (Kimball) followed shortly after by a goal from Jacob Beck (Kimball). That lifted the spirits of the team and it appeared a rout might be on. But just before halftime the Warriors got off a beautiful volley from 25 yards out that just alluded the fingers of goalie Noah Voss (Paynesville) before floating into the upper corner of the goal. That is how the half ended, Chain of Lakes up 2-1.
With that much scoring one would think there would be plenty more in the second half, and the Roosters did their best to put a few balls in the back of the net. But the closest they could come was to hit the crossbar twice. The Warriors also tried their best, and it took the play of the game to stop them. Late in the half, the skies drawing darker, a Warriors player put the ball on target, right under the crossbar for what would be the tying goal. But at the last minute goalie Avery Karol (Paynesville) leaped up and with his finger tips was just able to guide the ball over the top of the goal for a corner kick. Final score, just like half time, was 2-1.
The win brings the Roosters season record up to 3 wins, 3 loses and 1 tie. The team has a chance to finish the season with a winning record as they face Community Christian in Willmar on Tuesday, Oct. 16.