Lual’s goal lifts Packers
Published 9:44 pm Thursday, October 11, 2012
Austin's Jake Hagen-Erickson breaks away from La Crescent's Drew Kerska during the first half of their Section 1A quarterfinal game Thursday night at Art Hass Stadium. -- Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
The Packers found momentum when they needed it most as they rallied to beat No. 7 seeded La Crescent (12-6 overall) 4-0 in the Section 1A boys soccer quarterfinals in Art Hass Stadium Thursday.
Austin's Francisco Torres tries to regain control of the ball after losing it to La Crescent's Nathan Bomo in the first half of their Section 1A quarterfinal match-up Thursday night at Art Hass Stadium.
No. 2 Austin (15-3 overall) led just 1-0 late in the first half when Abinyan Lual took a pass from Francisco Torres and blasted it into the left corner to put his team up 2-0 with just 38 seconds left in the half.
“They could’ve scored at any time and anything can happen,” Lual said. “We needed that goal. I was a little inside the six, and I like that shot.”
The Packers, who poured on 21 shots on goal, held the Lancers to just one shot on goal on the night and La Crescent didn’t have any threats in the second half.
“They were just trying to kick it really long over our heads and we were ready for it,” Austin senior defender Carson Hackel said. “(Abi’s goal) was a big goal and they had to go into the half disappointed.”
Austin suffered a minor set-back when senior midfielder Francisco Torres was kicked from behind and had to leave the game late in the second half. Torres is expected to be back for Saturday’s semifinal game against No. 6 Albert Lea in Art Hass Stadium at 7 p.m.
Austin put the game away when Jake Hagen-Erickson tapped in a goal off a Nick Brehmer header in the 60th minute and Roel Torres put one through to make it 4-0 in the 64th minute.
Austin's Franco Ortiz kicks the ball out of the Austin half during the first half of their Section 1A quarterfinal matchup against La Crescent Thursday night at Art Hass Stadium.
“Roy’s goal was so nice,” Austin head coach Jens Levisen said. “He had a nice smooth touch and a confident shot. There wasn’t a rush and it looked good.”
Hagen-Erickson also scored in the 11th minute on an assist from Brehmer and he now has five goals in the postseason.
The Packers beat Albert Lea 8-3 Sept. 4. The Tigers (8-7 overall) upset No. 3 Winona on a 5-4 shootout win Thursday.
