Ciara Frank got a chance to roam the pitch on Saturday morning during the Dacotah Bank Cup Soccer Tournament at the Moccasin Creek Soccer Complex

The starting goalie for the Aberdeen Central girls’ team was able to play in a variety of spots on the field for her team in the opening half.

“I think I played about every position there is,” Frank said. “We have two goalies, so we just split halves and I played the second-half goalie. The first half I played forward and defense.”

While Frank has become accustomed to being in goal, she said she used to play forward.

The standout multi-sport athlete said there is definitely a difference between defending the goal and trying to attack from a different spot on the pitch.

“In goal I’m just watching the game,” Frank said. “I can see everything that’s going on, whereas if I’m up top, then I’m experiencing everything.”

While Frank enjoyed the opportunity for a change of pace, there is little doubt what her favorite position is.

“Definitely goalie, I think,” Frank said. “It’s like my main position.”

Frank, who recently placed in both the high jump and long jump at the state track and field meet, said her mindset is now on the upcoming soccer season, where the senior will be a key member of the Golden Eagles.

“As soon as club season starts, it’s just a totally different change,” Frank said.

Frank and her teammates are using the Dacotah Bank Cup as a springboard for what lies ahead this fall.

“This is to kind of knock the rust off, get our touches back to probably where they were last year,” she said, “and then get ready for high school season.”

The Dacotah Bank Cup concludes today.

To see Saturday’s results, click on the following link:

https://events.htgsports.net/?eventid=11381#/scheduleresults

RAIN TAKES CENTER STAGE AT TOURNEY

The morning rain showers made for a wet, soggy experience for soccer athletes at the tournament. Hub City Soccer Club player Colton Hannigan said the conditions were interesting to say the least.

“It was a little bit slippery,” Hannigan said. “The ball sometimes skidded on the water and just stopped, which made it a little bit difficult to predict where it was going, but other than that it was pretty much fine.”

The 12-year-old said staying away from the water was key to keeping his footing.

“As long as you keep your shoes out of the water, it’s pretty much the same as normal,” Hannigan said.

Hannigan, who primarily plays defense, said it was also hard to kick the ball at times.

“Setting the ball up the field was a little bit more difficult with water,” Hannigan said.

Overall, Hannigan enjoys the tournament, but added he wishes there were even more teams than the ones that are competing.

“I wish they would get some more teams to come in and play, but I like the way they have set it up apart from that,” Hannigan said.

Jacob Wuertz

MAKING THE CALLS

Not all of the teenage girls at the Dacotah Bank Cup were playing on a team. One wore a different colored jersey in her position as a sideline ref.

Zoe Hahler, 15 of Aberdeen, is in her third season as a soccer official.

“My mom knows people,” Hahler said of how she got started in her role, “so I just signed up for the course.”

Hahler used to play soccer, but now has found a different way to be involved in the game.

The sophomore at Aberdeen Central officiates a variety of ages on the pitch, some players not much younger than she is. She has learned what comes with the territory.

“Once I had a coach yell at me,” Hahler said. “It was a little bit scary, but I handled it.”

When asked what the most challenging aspect of being an official is, Hahler responded, “Watching all the calls and then making the calls, being confident about it.”

Dave Vilhauer

NO FAIR-WEATHER FANS AT SOCCER TOURNEY

Saturday’s rain showers made it interesting for not only the players, but for fans and parents as well.

Bismarck, N.D., soccer fan Doug Herr said there were ups and downs with the rain.

“I guess it was hit and miss. You know at times it was fairly pleasant in the rain, but there were some spots in there, especially in the morning here, where it down poured quite substantially,” Herr said.

Herr said he was prepared for the event with some rain gear.

“I had a rain coat,” Herr said. “I decided to go just with slides here instead of getting my shoes wet, but it was a long morning, I guess. A long, wet morning.”

Herr hoped that there would be more sunshine throughout the weekend, but was excited to be at the tournament.

“We haven’t had much of a chance to do anything else, but we always enjoy watching some soccer and the kids always have fun,” Herr said.

Jacob Wuertz