SIMLEY SPARTANS started their new campaign with a home win and a series of positive results at the St John’s University Classic last week.
The St Paul school emerged with a share of the honors after three tough, yet worthwhile encounters against strong opposition.
In their opening game, Simley recorded a fine 1-0 win over Hastings Raiders. The Dakota County school is ranked Class AA so this was a good result for the Class A Spartans.
Noel Quinn’s charges were on top throughout and their dominance was rewarded on 61 minutes when Henry Hark flicked on a corner and George Knowlton was on hand to tap in.
This was the first game for both schools, so understandably there was an element of ring-rust, but Simley controlled the game from then on and held out for the win.
Rochester Century Panthers – also ranked Class AA – were the second opponents for the Inver Grove Heights team and they produced a dominant second half display to ease home on a score of 2-0.
Following a fairly even first half, Simley fired out of the blocks in the second period and took the lead two minutes in through a Joe Trezeluk penalty that was awarded after Malcolm Willie was upended in the box.
The Spartans – buoyed by that strike – went on to control the game and doubled their advantage on 68 minutes when Willie’s shot from the corner of the penalty area was misjudged by the Panthers goalkeeper and the ball spun up and into the net.
With victory secured, Simley advanced to the final where Blake Bears stood in their way.
On a fine day at Collegeville, Simley made the early running, yet somehow couldn’t make it count on the scoreboard.
Harry Hark saw his powerful header crash off the bar before Malcolm Willie’s pile driver from 25 yards also cannoned off the woodwork and rebounded to safety.
The Minneapolis school’s goal was leading a charmed life and they managed to scramble another effort off the line to ensure the sides were locked at 0-0 at the change of ends.
The Spartans continued to pile on the pressure in the second half but couldn’t score and typically it was Blake who opened the scoring on the hour. A seemingly harmless free kick that floated into the area was dropped by Nathan Spores in the Simley goal to allow the Blake striker a simple tap-in and give the Bears the advantage.
Undaunted, the St Paul school pushed forward and their efforts were rewarded when Trenzeluk slotted home a penalty after Austin Monsrud was fouled, but they were dealt a blow on 73 minutes when George Knowlton was sent off for an off-the-ball incident.
Neither side could find a winner so the game went to extra-time. Simley probably had the better of things but were unable to create any chances as the game finished in a 1-1 tie. With no penalty shoot-out to decide the winner, both sides shared the honors in what was a fine SJU Classic tournament.
This was certainly a solid start to the new campaign and good preparation for two tough encounters this week.
Firstly, Simley play their first league game against a Tartan Titans outfit that will have a point to prove after two heavy early season losses (8-1 and 4-0).
Following this encounter, St Paul Humboldt Hawks will provide the opposition. Humboldt and Simley are in the same playoff section and despite the Hawks 1-1 draw earlier this week; a tough Section 4A clash is expected.
