After finishing as the state runner-up last season, Blake is going back to the state final looking for its third championship in four years.

The Bears defeated Proctor/Hermantown 5-1 on Friday behind a hat trick from Carly Bullock, giving her seven total goals in two games at the state tournament.

“She’s done that for years,” Blake coach Shawn Reid said. “I will never, ever bet against Carly Bullock.”

Blake (25-2-2) carries a target on its back into its third meeting this season with St. Paul United in Saturday’s title game. The Bears won the previous two games in January. But Reid said he preaches to focus only on what his team can control. That same mentality helped Blake blow the game open in the second period Friday.

Sarah Chute scored early on for Blake, but Proctor/Hermantown (20-8-1) kept the Bears at bay and tied the game early in the second on a goal from Sophie McGovern.

The Mirage lost to Blake 1-0 earlier this season, and coach Glen Gilderman said his team felt confident entering this game. But just when it seemed as if Proctor/Hermantown could hang around, Reid said, his team calmed down and took control.

Blake went on to score four unanswered goals — three from Bullock and one from Izzy Daniel — and finished with a 33-13 shots on goal advantage.

“You have to play a great game,” Gilderman said. “We played a good game. We could have played better. And you’re probably not going to beat Blake if you could have played better.”

 

First report

Blake will get a shot at its third state title in four years.

The Bears defeated Proctor/Hermantown 5-1 on Friday in the Class 1A girls' semifinal behind a hat trick from Carly Bullock, who has now scored seven goals in the state tournament.

Although Blake won easily, Proctor/Hermantown kept it close in the beginning. Sarah Chute scored early on for Blake, but PH kept the Bears at bay and tied the game early in the second early in the second on a goal from Sophie McGovern.

There would be no upset.

Blake went on to score four unanswered goals -- three from Bullock and one from Izzy Daniel -- and finished with a 33-13 shots on goal advantage.

The Bears will face St. Paul United in the state final at 4 p.m. Saturday at Xcel Energy Center. 

Check back later for more on the game.