The Big Lake Hornet girls soccer team is hosting their first match in the Section tournament starting  Monday (Oct. 12) in Big Lake. They are seeded #2 behind Watertown with a 6-1-3 record so far.

To top it all off, this is the final few games of Mike Turner’s tenure as head coach. He has coached the Hornets for 11 of his 30 years at the helm.

Hornets 1, Bluejackets 0

Last Friday night, the Hornet girls won against Cambridge-Isanti and are looking at the possibility of one more game to finish the conference schedule strong. That final game was scheduled to be played late last week.

“This has been a season to remember with wins against Becker, Princeton, Monticello and Delano,” said Turner. “And a come back tie with Saint Francis, who was the only team we lost to previously.”

“We beat Monticello for the first time in school history with a direct kick from Mya Turner, a midfielder, who has committed to UNW,” he continued. “Our midfield is also controlled by two other outstanding players, Ava Vizenor and Sophia Lange, who have both committed to D2 soccer at the Univ. of Mary.”

Turner also called out his second-to-the-last line of defense.

“Controlling our defense is a speedy bunch of players led by Lilly Berglund, who has committed to the National Guard and Kelsey Meyer, who has committed to Crown College. 

Turner says his team’s play and control has been so rewarding for him to watch this season.

“I know it will continue to grow even more under Coach Kelly Dilger and Derek Holman,” he said. “Despite the upcoming graduation of six varsity players, we have a force of younger girls who are already impact players for this team. I look forward to becoming a super fan!” 

Despite the sadness sometimes surrounding a retirement, Turner was grateful he had the chance to coach such a fine group of athletes as this year’s girls soccer team.

“It has been by far the best season we have ever had,” he said. “This success has built up over the past 11 years of my time coaching this team. We are now able to compete with anyone.”

Turner wishes to thank all the players he has had the opportunity to coach, the staff for always having his back, the parents for their support and the coaches for buying into his coaching philosophy.

“And my family for dealing with my crazy schedule and moods when games didn’t always go as planned,” he said.

“Finally, I want to thank God for my health and ability to coach for over 30 years. And to all of Big Lake for being the best place to end my coaching career. Go Hornets!”