Esko Girls Soccer to Meet Top Seed Providence Academy in Class A State Semifinal

Esko's state semifinal game against the Lions is on Wednesday, October 29th. 

ESKO, Minn.- After a three goal second half by Addy Parrott in the quarterfinal round, the Esko girls soccer team punched their ticket to the state semifinal round.

Now, Esko is set to kickoff at U.S Bank Stadium against top seeded Providence Academy with a trip to the championship game on the line.

The State semifinal game is not the first time Esko faced off against Providence Academy this year.

In their last meeting, Esko and the Lions settled for a scoreless tie.

But just recently in the Lions state quarterfinal game, they scored 14 goals, which has been a point of emphasis for Sharon Lahti and her team.

“We have to be able to stop the offensive attack. We have to be able to identify when they’re going to use a pivot to generate their attack. Delaying speed and keeping the speed to the outside. It’s going to be a challenging game no matter what. I mean you’re looking at the first seed. But we like our odds,” said Lahti.

In any state match, Esko understands the importance of playing their very best on both sides of the ball, especially taking on the top seed in the tournament.

“We obviously know they’re going to be a tough opponent. So, just staying focused and making sure that we are going to play our hardest on Wednesday. Going hard to every single ball and trying to finish our opportunities and get the ball in the back of the net,” said Esko forward Britta Koski.

“Make sure everybody, like someone is always on their forwards, making sure we play to each other on the ground instead in the air for Fifty-fifty balls,” said Esko center forward Addy Parrott.

Esko’s state semifinal game against the Lions is on Wednesday, October 29th.

Kickoff is at 5 p.m.