Snowstorm postpones boys and girls section soccer games

Sam Decker

Section soccer games were moved to indoor locations because of severe snowfall.

Record-breaking snowfall Tuesday caused both boys’ and girls’ section soccer games to be postponed on consecutive days.

Both teams were scheduled to play their respective section games Tuesday; however, the Minnesota State High School League met during the day and determined the conditions were not suitable for competition. Instead, the teams practiced in a dome, awaiting the rescheduling of their games. Both were tentatively rescheduled for Wednesday as home games, but the next day brought about the same result, and each scheduled outdoor game was canceled.

“I was very afraid when the game got cancelled the first and second day due to the snow that I would never get to finish my season, and play my last games of soccer in my life, but when I heard that we would end up playing our game at a dome, [it] excited me. There can’t be fans at the game, so that detracts from the experience, but I at least get to finish out my last season of soccer,” senior Matthew Virginia said.

While teams are now forced to play indoors, their anticipation for the game has not dwindled. The girls’ varsity team will now play Breck at 7:45 p.m. Thursday at the National Sports Complex in Blaine. “Despite how crazy this season has been, the team has still found a way to become so close and have an amazing season. We were sad to not be able to play last night, but we are more than ready to play Breck tonight, and hopefully see Blake in the section final and get revenge for what happened last year,” junior Tilly Wolfe said.

Similarly, the boys’ team will now play Blake at 10 a.m on Friday at the Park Center Dome. Due to the cancelation of the state tournament (held for the winners of each section), this year’s section tournament means much more to players, especially to seniors. “The team feels a little cheated because we weren’t allowed to have a state tournament, so we’re all very invested in the section tournament. Everyone is pumped up for the chance to play on Friday even though it’s a less than ideal circumstance. On top of that, we feel we have a good shot at the section this year, so we’re excited to play in our section semis and hopefully the finals,” senior goalie Theo Pohlen said.

If they win, both games will be on Saturday the girls’ will play Blake at home, and the boys’ will play the winner of Breck and De La Salle game, location to be determined.