Bluejays soccer team ends regular season on high note

After an unusual string of three tie games, including a 2-2 contest early last week with Northland Pines, the Three Lakes-Phelps boys varsity soccer team closed the week with a convincing 8-0 victory on the road against the Saints of Regis-McDonell Central. The game ended the regular season for the Bluejays with a final record of 8-5-4, comparable to the record of last season when they went 10-6-1 and ultimately earned their way to a WIAA D4 sectional final game in Arcadia. Regional playoff action this season starts next week for the Jays, when they will square up against Amery High School.

Last week started with the long-anticipated rematch against the undefeated cross-town Eagles of Northland Pines. While the Eagles won the prior game on their home field, the Bluejays were noticeably faster on the Three Lakes High School field and seemed to control the pace of play. This was demonstrated in the first half after Pines took an early 1-0 lead. Charlie Welsh of the Jays weaved his way through several Pines defenders to kick a shot on goal. While the Pines keeper made the save, the ball bounced in front of the net for a waiting Isaiah Perlewitz, who kicked a center shot tying the score.

The large hometown crowd showed their approval through a rousing applause against a beautiful backdrop of color-changing autumn leaves. The teams exchanged goals again, as Corbyn Gutbrod scored for the Bluejays early in the second half, tying the game at 2-2. Both teams worked hard with multiple scoring opportunities, but the final 37 minutes went scoreless, resulting in the tie score

Last Thursday, the Jays were on the road at Regis High School for another rematch of a prior opponent. The first contest ended in a tie last month, but this time, the Bluejays kicked it up a notch and beat the Saints 8-0 in a game filled with fast running, crisp passing and solid goalkeeping. The pace of play was led by seniors Cohen Welsh and Lucas Riker, along with sophomore Charlie Welsh.

Riker and the younger Welsh dominated the left side during the first half, with each having a foot on the ball for extended periods. Head coach Brad Volkmann attributes their compatibility to having two seasons playing together.

“These two have a real connection with each other,” he said. “This is the second straight year that they have played on the same side, and they have gotten good at reading and playing off of each other. Everyone is moving well together and getting into space to find those passing combinations. Lucas and Charlie do this particularly well.”

The coach said he was also pleased with the team’s progression in using the entire pitch.

“We have been controlling games through possession and playing out of the back. We are able to pass with each other and come forward as a group to strengthen our attack. While most teams send long balls out of the back and then individually run in for the attack, we attack as a group and can sustain plays because of the numbers we are able to get forward.”

Riker scored three goals in the first half at Regis, while Cohen Welsh, Charlie Welsh and Gutbrod each scored once. Trenton Peterson rounded out the scoring with two second-half goals. Masen Schoeneck and Robert Wenberg shared goalkeeping roles, with each making key saves in the game.

The sixth-seeded Bluejays will have a week of preparation before facing third-seed Amery High School on the road next Thursday, October 22, at 4:00 p.m., to start the WIAA D4 regional playoff period. The Jays tied the Warriors last month and defeated them in the first round of sectional postseason action last season. Even so, Coach Volkmann points out that every game at this point will be a battle.

“The win-or-go-home approach makes every team play that much harder,” he said, “but we like our chances.”