On a windy and rainy night Thursday in Becker, the Bulldogs hosted conference rival St. John’s Prep in a game that would decide the final conference standings.  

 

It was Becker’s final regular season match of the season.

 

Becker entered the match with a 5-2-4 record and looking to retain their second place standing in the Granite Ridge.

 

“From the onset of the season we knew it would be a huge game for us,” said Head Coach Alex Jurek. “The series is nearly split over the last 10 seasons and the games are always heated.”

 

In the last three seasons these teams have met eight times with Becker winning three, Prep winning three and then a tie between each. 

 

“At St. John’s a couple of weeks ago we were without Logan Boyer, Evan Epperly and Jordan Gruenes,” said Jurek.  “We are still missing Boyer, but with Epperly and Gruenes back, we knew we had the edge.”

 

Early in the match, senior forward Brandon Abrahamson collected a pass from senior Tate Weise and placed the ball through keeper and netted his first goal of the season.  

 

A short while later, St. John’s would gain a direct kick right outside of the box and in a broken play, the Johnnies tied the game up 1-1.  

 

Just before the first half ended, Epperly drove to the goal and with an near impossible move, completed the play with a goal off a header to put Becker up 2-1 heading into the break.

 

The Bulldogs adjusted their formation and at the start of the second half went aggressive.   Epperly proved why he is one of the most dangerous strikers in the conference as he attacked the goal play-after-play.  His tenacity would net another goal for the Bulldogs to go up 3-1.  

 

Alex Nelson then cleaned up a cross from Epperly a short while later, putting the game away.

 

The Bulldogs enter Section 6A Tournament in solid shape with six wins, two losses (both to Cathedral), and four draws.  Their first section game will be  Tuesday at Becker right before the girls section game.

 

“This is the culture shift in Becker we have been talking about,” said Jurek.  “We have the best stadium in all of Central Minnesota and both the girls and boys soccer programs are going to be hosting section games on the same night.”  

 

Jurek is proud of how both teams are playing at high levels this year and are making a statement for area soccer.  

 

“It is a great atmosphere and both teams are hitting on all cylinders,” he said.