After three straight losses to some of the top competition on their schedule, the Hermantown girls soccer team finds itself at a crossroads.
The Hawks will get an immediate chance to respond this week, with back-to-back road games at Grand Rapids today and Coon Rapids on Thursday. Head coach Nathan Hanson said both matches will test his team’s resilience.
“Grand Rapids is always a section opponent that plays us close, and I think this will be an important game for us not just as a section matchup but to get our footing back,” Hanson said.
Hermantown enters the stretch knowing the last three results were complex but valuable. The Hawks have lost three straight but learned lessons Hanson said will pay off down the road.
“Those games were really important for us to learn a lot,” Hanson said of the consecutive losses. “We were exposed in areas that needed to be addressed, and I think the girls are ready to take a step forward this week.”
The Hawks’ stability begins in goal, where seniors Cambriia Thomas and Lucy Critchley have split time evenly. The tandem has kept Hermantown competitive and set an example in leadership.
“I’ve been pleased with how both goalkeepers have done,” Hanson said. “They’ve shared time and been leaders from the back of the field. That’s difficult to do, but they’ve handled it well.”
Having two reliable options has allowed the Hawks to stay fresh and flexible. Each brings a slightly different style, giving Hermantown opponents something new to consider from half to half.
On the pitch, senior midfielder-forward Claire Nikisch's adaptability has shaped Hermantown's identity. Her ability to slide between roles has made her indispensable.
“Claire has been someone the team can rely on,” Hanson said. “She gives us flexibility. If we need her on the attacking end, she’s there, and if we need her to help defensively, she’s there too.”
That kind of versatility has been especially important during the recent skid, where the Hawks faced opponents able to exploit mismatches. Nikisch’s presence has often neutralized those advantages.
At the center of it all is junior Avea Harriman, whose ability to dictate the tempo has been critical.
“I’ve been pleased with how Avea continues to conduct the middle of the field,” Hanson said. “She has great vision and movement off the ball, which helps our midfield structure.”
Harriman’s play has not always shown up in the box score, but Hanson said her influence is felt in possession and spacing. Her distribution and awareness have allowed Hermantown to maintain shape against aggressive opponents.
The Hawks’ trip to Grand Rapids will carry added weight. The Thunderhawks are a section rival and perennial threat. Hermantown knows the results in September can set the tone for October when the postseason begins.
“Grand Rapids is always a section opponent that plays us close,” Hanson said. “It’s an important game for us, about more than just the standings. It’s about taking a step forward.”
The visit to Coon Rapids two nights later will provide another opportunity against a quality metro-area opponent, giving Hermantown exposure to the style and pace they will likely see in the playoffs.
For Hanson, the combination of challenging opponents, versatile leadership and developing chemistry is precisely what he wants to see from his team at this season stage.
“These girls are learning, competing, and improving every time out,” he said. “This week is about taking the next step.”
With veterans anchoring the defense, dual goalkeepers providing confidence from the back and a midfield core led by Harriman, the Hawks believe they are positioned to make that leap.
And as Hanson pointed out, the adversity of the last three games may have been precisely what they needed.