WILLMAR -- Liam Johnston header midway through the first half stood up for Willmar as the Cardinals blanked Little Falls 1-0 Thursday in a Central Lakes Conference boys soccer match.
The Cardinals (2-0, 2-1) fired off 33 shots -- 21 of which were on net -- but Little Falls packed its defense in the middle of the field to keep Willmar from getting good looks.
"We got a lot of shots kicked at the goalie, but we didn't do a good of finishing," said Willmar coach Richard Courtney.
The Cardinals got a free kick from about 40 yards out that Ahmed B. Hussein took on the left side and launched a pass to the right side 35 yards down the field. Johnston made contact with the ball and headed it pass Flyers' goalie Dan Kornbaum, who finished with 21 saves.
Willmar limited Little Falls to just seven shots on net. Josh Freitas turned back each shot he faced to post Willmar's first shutout of the season.
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"It was by far our best defensive effort," said Courtney. "We had three or four real good chances, but we just have to work on some finishing."
The Cardinals have four days off until they are at CLC rival Sartell on Tuesday.
Willmar 1, Little Falls 0
Little Falls 0 0 -- 0
Willmar 1 0 -- 1
FIRST HALF - Wil: Liam Johnston (Ahmed B. Hussein) 23:18
SECOND HALF - no scoring
Shots on nets - Little Falls: 7 ... Willmar: 21
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Goalie saves - Little Falls: Dan Kornbaum 20 ... Willmar: Josh Freitas 7
Defensive saves - Little Falls: none ... Willmar: none
