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Top seed Duluth East back on 2A title game doorstep

By HANK LONG, Special to the Star Tribune, 10/25/18, 12:00PM CDT

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The Greyhouds, led by two goals from senior William Francis, defeated Centennial 4-2 to advance to the semifinals.


Duluth East goalkeeper Oliver Hasler (21) reached to block a scoring attempt by Centennial in the Class 2A quarterfinals Thursday at Chisago Lakes High School. Photo: Richard Tsong-Taatarii•Richard.Tsong-Taatarii@startribune.com

It’s been nearly one year since the Duluth East boys’ soccer team’s last loss, which came in the Class 2A state semifinals in 2017.

After their 4-2 victory over Centennial in the state quarterfinals on Thursday at Chisago Lakes High School, the No. 1-ranked Greyhounds (18-0-2) have found themselves back in familiar territory — only one victory from their first state title game.

Senior forward William Francis led Duluth East with two second-half goals, giving him 27 on the season, in a game in which the Greyhounds never trailed but couldn’t get much separation from the Cougar.

“They put a couple in the net, and we were scared for a bit, but we were confident,” Francis said. “We have two games left and we believe we are going to win two more.”

First report

It’s been nearly one year since the Duluth East boys’ soccer team has lost a match. Its last defeat was in the 2017 Class 2A state semifinals.

After their 4-2 state quarterfinal victory over Centennial on Thursday in Lindstrom, the No. 1-ranked Greyhounds (18-0-2) are back in familiar territory – just one win from their first appearance in the state title game.

Senior forward William Francis led the way for Duluth East with two second half goals -- he now 27 for the season -- in a game at Chisago Lakes High School where the Greyhounds never trailed.

Forward Sean Brueninghaus gave Duluth East an early lead with a goal at 26:26 in first half. It came just a few minutes after Centennial put a scare into the Greyhounds. Cougars midfielder Matt Hove's shot hit the left post, followed by of flurry of activity in front of Greyhounds goal.

The Cougars (15-4-1), No. 8 in Class 2A, tied the game at 1-1 at 15:48 of the first half on a goal from Demetrius Bernardy-Nelson. A Star Tribune All-Metro first team selection, Bernardy-Nelson connected on a deflection from close range.

Each teams had a number of scoring chances before midfielder Michael Reichhoff put the Greyhounds back in the lead at 3:48 in the first half. Duluth East took a 2-1 lead, and a 7-6 advantage in shots, into halftime.

Francis scored his first goal of the match for Duluth East early in the second half. His long strike from about 15 yards out and to the right of the goal sailed just inside the left post and past Cougars goalkeeper put the Greyhounds up 3-1.

The Cougars cut the deficit back down to one with Jesus Galvan-Garcia’s goal at 19:48 in the second half.

Francis gave the Greyhounds an insurance goal and a 4-2 lead less than two minutes later.

Check back later for more on the game.