UPDATE: In a heart-wrenching finish, Duluth Marshall’s boys soccer team suffered a 2-1 loss in overtime to Southwest Christian during the Class A quarterfinals held in Forest Lake on October 26, 2023.
As the overtime period began, Duluth Marshall appeared poised to secure a quick victory, but a stunning goal from Southwest Christian’s Brody Uglum in the 76th minute shifted the momentum. “To get a goal with under five minutes is such a huge momentum swing,” said Southwest Christian coach Luke Herbert.
The game started intensely, with both teams battling fiercely in one of the coldest matches of the season. Despite Duluth Marshall’s strong efforts, they struggled to capitalize on their chances. Coach Mike Sengbush noted that his team remained composed even during the tense overtime. “The guys were fine… we saw the opportunity and almost got one right off the kick,” he stated.
With time ticking down in the first overtime period, the Hilltoppers found their breakthrough when Andrew Nicholson scored, sealing the game for Southwest Christian and ending Marshall’s season for the third consecutive year in the quarterfinals.
Throughout the match, Duluth Marshall’s goalie Kyler Black stood out, making an impressive nine saves and maintaining a clean sheet until the late stages of the game. “Kyler has been very timely this year. He’s athletic, he reads the ball well,” Sengbush praised.
Initially, the Stars pressured Marshall’s defense, but were unable to convert their opportunities, with Black thwarting their attempts. “We weren’t particularly dangerous,” Herbert commented on his team’s performance.
Marshall finally broke the deadlock early in the second half, with Benson Peterson scoring a critical goal. “We knew that a goal was going to come through the middle… it ended up working out perfectly,” Peterson reflected on the moment.
Despite the disappointment, the Hilltoppers showed resilience, with players pushing through cramps and fatigue. However, the late-game equalizer from Southwest Christian proved too much for Duluth Marshall, leading to an emotional end to their season.
With a final record of 11-6-2, the Hilltoppers expressed their heartbreak but also recognized the effort they put into the game. “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,” Sengbush concluded.
The match exemplified the unpredictable nature of high school sports, as players and fans alike are left to grapple with the emotional aftermath of a season that ended just short of their goals.
