The Boy's varsity Eagles soccer team faced top-ranked Richmond Gull Lake in the Division 2 state semifinal on Wednesday evening at Byron Center. The game was a rematch of an early season showdown in which Gull Lake defeated the Eagles 4-0 and the winner of the match would earn a spot in the state championsihp final. 

The Eagles came out strong in the first half of play, scoring an early goal less than 2-minutes into the match. After working the ball up the field, Junior Ian Velzen-Haner crossed a ball into the box where a streaking Hans Pruis hit it first-time over the keeper and into the net. This early lead stood for most of the first half as the Eagles mounted several dangerous attacks and Gull Lake threatened on several corner kick attempts. Gull Lake knotted the game at 1-1 with 7-minutes left in the half as they broke through the Eagles Defense, leaving the score at 1-1 at the half.

The second half saw a change in tactics as Gull Lake tried to press the Eagles defenders, but the Eagles were able to break through the pressure and mount several dangerous attacks. 14 minutes into the 2nd half, senior Nick Cassiday was fouled by a Gull Lake defender just outside the Gull Lake penalty area. Cassiday stepped up and sent a curling shot around the Gull Lake defensive wall on the free kick, giving the Eagles a 2-1 lead they would not relinquish. Although Gull Lake pressed to find the equalizer, the Eagles Defense and goalkeeper Xander Scofield successfully defended the Eagles net for the remaining 26 minutes of the match. 

The Eagles victory propels them into the State Championship game at Comstock Park HS on Saturday (12:00 noon kickoff).