By Fred Kroner
Grant Powell started the postseason with a hat trick on Saturday (Oct. 9) as the Oakwood/Salt Fork soccer team turned back visiting Georgetown-Ridge Farm 7-1 in a Class 1A IHSA regional quarterfinal match.
In addition to his three goals, Powell had one assist. Reef Pacot had two goals and two assists.
Also netting goals for the Comets were Joe Lashuay and Dylan Diaz.
Oakwood/Salt Fork led 4-0 at halftime.
Other assists were by Saul Carillo, Diaz, Powell and Zane Trimmell.
Goalkeeper Josh Ruch turned back six shots.
The Comets held a 26-9 edge on total shots.
On Thursday (Oct. 7), the two seniors on the Oakwood/Salt Fork soccer team combined for the Comets’ first goal as the team whipped Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin 5-1 on Senior Night.
Carlie Thompson set up Lashuay for the opening goal.
Lashuay scored again before halftime as did teammates Powell, Macen Phillips and Pacot.
Jacob Taflinger and Carillo also had assists.
Oakwood/Salt Fork held a 24-5 edge in total shots.
Ruch had two saves.
Lightning forced the match to be called 15 minutes into the second half.
Oakwood/Salt Fork is 17-7 with a seven-match winning streak. The sixth-seeded Comets will return to action in the semifinals on Tuesday (Oct. 12) in the semifinals at St. Thomas More against the top-seeded host Sabers.
