UPDATE: In a thrilling showdown in Forest Lake, the Duluth Marshall boys soccer team suffered a heart-wrenching 2-1 overtime loss to Southwest Christian in the Class A quarterfinals on November 2, 2023. With just minutes left in regulation, Southwest Christian turned the tide and secured their victory in a dramatic finish.
The match was tense, with both teams battling cold conditions and fierce competition. As the second half ticked away, Southwest Christian trailed until Brody Uglum scored a pivotal goal in the 76th minute, forcing the game into overtime. “To get a goal with under 5 minutes is such a huge momentum swing,” said Stars coach Luke Herbert, who had warned his team about their precarious position.
Despite an early advantage, Duluth Marshall couldn’t maintain their lead. Coach Mike Sengbush expressed confidence in his team even as the match went into extra time, stating, “The guys were fine. We saw the opportunity and almost got one right off the kick, but that’s not the way the ball bounced.” Unfortunately for the Hilltoppers, they faced a relentless Southwest Christian defense.
As the first overtime period drew to a close, Andrew Nicholson netted the game-winning goal, sealing Duluth Marshall’s fate for the third consecutive year in the state quarterfinals. The Hilltoppers ended the season with a record of 11-6-2, feeling the sting of another near miss.
Earlier in the match, Duluth Marshall’s goalkeeper, Kyler Black, showcased his skills with an impressive performance, making nine crucial saves throughout the game. Coach Sengbush praised Black’s athleticism and timing: “He’s athletic, he reads the ball well and he made some good saves tonight.” However, it wasn’t enough to secure the win.
Throughout the first half, both teams struggled to find the net. Duluth Marshall started slow, which some attributed to their late arrival, cutting their warm-up time short. Midfielder Benson Peterson commented, “We ended up kicking it into gear — our whole team really picked it up.” Peterson managed to score for Marshall early in the second half, but the momentum couldn’t carry them through the final moments.
As fans and players process the emotional aftermath of this defeat, many are left wondering what could have been. Coach Sengbush reflected, “This was one of the best opportunities we’ve had to advance, but obviously we’ve got a lot of broken hearts up there right now.” The loss marks another chapter in a challenging season for Duluth Marshall, leaving players and supporters hopeful for a better outcome in the future.
As the dust settles on this thrilling match, fans are urged to share their support for the Duluth Marshall team as they regroup and prepare for next season. Stay tuned for updates and further developments in high school soccer.
