Another game and another clean sheet for Memorial. It was a business like performance as the Abes scored early and maintained a healthy portion of the possession, picking up three goals in the first half on their way to a 5-0 win at North. The formula is familiar the past few games. Dominate play in the first half, get your goals, get a solid lead, rest the starters, let the young guns get some playing time, keep a clean sheet. Wash….Rinse….Repeat. Their performance was solid. Of note, Matt Martinez got a start at the winger position and injected some excellent pace, energy and a deft touch. His play early dictated the pace and energy for Memorial and got them out of the gate fast.
Note to self, check your phone and make sure it is set up to video when you arrive at the game. Sometimes Memorial scores very early. I found my spot and went to camera and video and…nothing…black screen…uh oh. What now…better reset the phone, must be an Apple glitch. As I am resetting, of course, Martinez makes a beautiful run down the right side….offers up a little shake and bake…gets the corner and sends in a beautiful cross into the box. Jacob Peloquin is making a surging run into the box and he “crushes” a one time right footed volley into the back of the net. That one had some power on it. A really nice goal. Bummer….I missed it…still have a black screen on my phone.
As well, I must mention that the game might have turned a bit in the first half if not for some quality GK play from Tyler Hanson. On two occasions, Braden Pick from North got into space, used his incredible speed to get some clearance and create a very dangerous situation. On both occasions, Hanson made the perfect read, zoomed into sweeper keeper mode and made two really nice saves. A nice block on the first and a sweep up of a loose ball on the second. A third nice play also kept Pick from getting off a shot. Great work. I think with another keeper and another team, Pick scores at least one goal, maybe two. On this day, Hanson was ready…no goals. I happened to bump into a Eau Claire native Patrick McLain in the second half and he commented on Hanson’s play. McClain might be the most successful Eau Claire native in regards to his college career and professional career. 4 Years at Division 1 Cal Poly SLO where he was named 2nd team All Big West and holds the school record for save percentage at .835. He has played GK professionally since 2009 between the USL and MLS. Securing 60 starts in the USL and another 5 in the MLS. He is currently with the Minnesota United MLS team and I sure hope he gets some more chances to show his stuff. Cool that he has attended two Memorial games this year supporting his Alma Mater. A great role model for our local teams and players. When Pat says Hanson looked good and was sharp in the field, it means something. He made reference to how good he is at reading plays and shutting down opportunities. Well done Tyler.
Lets take a look at some highlights. Sorry I don’t have Peloquin’s goal referenced above. My bad Jacob. It was a nice goal.
Longville scores to make it 2-0 on a surging run down the middle, makes a few nice moves to create some space on the left side, gets the ball onto his left foot and powers a low drive past the goal keeper. The speed of his runs is amazing, he keeps great control and creates a lot of power, even with his left foot.
If you have checked out some of the earlier posts, then you know I have been on a Haig watch for a goal all year. He works so hard and has been close so many times, that you just knew one was coming. Well..here it is. A very nice assist from Longville (I think Jack uses his outside right foot for the pass, very cheeky) plays Haig into open space down the right side. Haig times the run perfectly, sets up the GK and ones times a nice side foot in the lower right hand corner. Well earned and well deserved. In tribute to Haig’s first goal of the year…or maybe because I hit the slo motion button by mistake…I prefer the tribute…this goal is in slo mo. Hang in there because it looks really cool in slo mo. Sometimes mistakes pay off and a nice rebound for me after missing the first goal.
Another nice run by Jack that just misses his second goal. He surges past three defenders and gets off a shot from a tight angle. Almost. He was rewarded in the second half as he scored his second goal of the game on a rocket shot off the post and in and then also gets his second assist of the game.
As mentioned earlier, Martinez really played with energy and got the Abes off to a fast start. He was rewarded in the second half as he finishes off a nice pass from Longville and deftly flicks it up and over the keeper for a 4-0 lead. His second goal in as many games. He is really adding another offensive dimension to the Old Abes attack.
Top 3 Takeaways from the Game
Another Clean sheet for Memorial. 9 league games, 8 Clean Sheets and only 1 goal allowed. Impressive.
Man of the Match (MOTM). I think tri-winners tonight. I just can’t decide so bloggers prerogative! Longville with 2 goals and 2 assists. Martinez with a goal and an assist and Hanson with two big saves in the first half to prevent any North momentum and keep things calm.
A win Tuesday secures the Conference Crown. (I think) Big game on Tuesday against Hudson. A win could clinch the conference title. You know Hudson will bring it so we need to be ready.