ALEXANDRIA — Fighting for field position most of the match, Alexandria boys soccer player Julian Ramos slipped through the defense in a big spot.

It proved to be the winning moment to begin the playoffs.

Ramos’ goal off a Cardinals free kick in the 62nd minute, his second of the game, propelled second-seeded Alexandria to an eventual 4-2 victory over No. 7 Elk River in the Section 8AAA quarterfinals at the Alexandria Area High School on Tuesday, Oct. 7.

The victory was the Cardinals’ sixth in the past seven matches dating back to Sept. 20, and it started with Ramos battling past three Elks defenders, firing a strike nine minutes into the match for his eighth goal of the season. Alexandria’s defense held serve throughout the opening half, stopping an Elk River free kick midway through th

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