Red River, Central still winless after 0-0 tie at Cushman

GRAND FORKS - The closest scoring chance between Grand Forks Red River and Central on Tuesday came on a Claire Hynek cross that was directed toward the goal by Rowan Olmstead. The ball trickled alongside Red River goalkeeper Eden Parkinson and rolled toward the goal line, but the sophomore keeper was able to jump on it before it crossed.

While they went back and forth in the remaining 11:46, the Knights and Roughriders finished with a 0-0 tie at Cushman Field and each picked up an EDC point, despite being unable to pick up their first victories of the year.

“The fact that our scoring chances are coming in a variety of ways is reassuring. Claire and Hannah (Hynek) are a pretty big focal point of our offense, but we are also getting shots to the goal from our wide players and from set pieces. The way they are playing is allowing us to be a multifaceted offense,” Central head coach George DuBois said.

Both sides were able to break out of the indoor setting and find their footing for the match, as the recent weather has restricted them to gym practices for their opening weeks of the season.

“With the weather, we’ve been playing in a gym which is just not the same thing as playing outside on turf. That’s a tough thing for us right now,” Red River head coach Jason Heydt.

Red River picked up some quality opportunities toward the end of the first half. With 7:56 left Kiran Lee had a free kick from just outside the ‘18 sail wide. Later, Cassidy O’Halloran was able to put a sliding attempt on net, after being set up by Maggie Barker, but Rylee Gallagher was able to swallow it up.

The Knights were able to battle back at the end and set up a corner kick with 20 seconds remaining, but couldn’t secure any redirections on net.

“Our defense did a really good job of communicating with each other. I was just really impressed with us being able to shut them down,” Heydt said.

Staying toe-to-toe with the Knights is a step in the right direction for the Roughriders, after picking up just two wins and losing in their preseason scrimmage.

“They lit us up last year and in the preseason scrimmage, so I think we have shown some improvement there. We were able to defend better, so I think we are going to take that going forward,” said Heydt.

“They stuck to their attacking plan. I thought they executed the way they wanted to and it created a nice back-and-forth game,” DuBois said of the Roughriders.

For Central, the EDC point was fought for and earned, but there will hopefully be more for the taking down the line this season.

“Everyone wants to win the game and I don’t think any players are satisfied with a point. The reality is we got a point, but the goal is to improve on finishing touches when the opportunities present themselves,” said DuBois.

1/13: Red River defender Lily Costello (16) is introduced prior to a girls soccer match against crosstown rivals Grand Forks Central Cushman Field in Grand Forks on Tuesday, April 26, 2022.

2/13: Grand Forks Central forward Hannah Hynek sprints past Red River's Grace Schindler, left, with the ball during a girls soccer matchup at Cushman Field in Grand Forks on Tuesday, April 26, 2022.

3/13: Knights midfielder Aubriell Kraemer (17) intercepts the ball in the first half of a home girls soccer match against the Red River Roughriders at Cushman Field in Grand Forks on Tuesday, April 26, 2022.

4/13: Red River midfielder Kiran Lee keeps the ball away from Grand Forks Central's Sierra Heyd (3) late in the first half of a girls soccer match at Cushman Field in Grand Forks on Tuesday, April 26, 2022.

5/13: Red River goaltender Eden Parkinson boots the ball down the turf at Cushman Field in Grand Forks during a girls soccer match against crosstown rivals Grand Forks Central on Tuesday, April 26, 2022.

6/13: Fans bundle up in the cool spring weather to watch a girls soccer rivalry match between Grand Forks Central and Red River at Cushman Field in Grand Forks on Tuesday, April 26, 2022.

7/13: Knights midfielder Lauren Reardon, right, boots the ball down the pitch at Cushman Field in Grand Forks during a home soccer match against the Red River Roughriders on Tuesday, April 26, 2022.

8/13: Grand Forks Central midfielder Rowan Olmstead (17) and Red River's Grace Schindler (18) vie for the ball late in the first half of a girls soccer match at Cushman Field in Grand Forks on Tuesday, April 26, 2022.

9/13: Roughriders midfielder Maggie Barker beats Grand Forks Central's Sierra Heyd, left, to a header in the final minutes of the first half of a girls soccer rivalry match at Cushman Field in Grand Forks on Tuesday, April 26, 2022.

10/13: Grand Forks Central forward Hannah Hynek chases the ball past Red River's Kiran Lee, center, and Cassidy O'Halloran, right, in the first half of a girls soccer match at Cushman Field in Grand Forks on Tuesday, April 26, 2022.

11/13: Grand Forks Central midfielder Rowan Olmstead (17) and Red River's Grace Schindler (18) vie for the ball late in the first half of a girls soccer match at Cushman Field in Grand Forks on Tuesday, April 26, 2022.

12/13: Grand Forks Central defender Madisyn McLaughlin takes a penalty kick late in the first half of a home girls soccer match against Red River at Cushman Field in Grand Forks on Tuesday, April 26, 2022.

13/13: Red River midfielder Kiran Lee (24) lobs the ball to a teammate in the first half of a girls soccer match against crosstown rivals Grand Forks Central at Cushman Field in Grand Forks on Tuesday, April 26, 2022.