So things are going pretty good for the Memorial Girls team so far this year. A new coach, a bunch of returning players, great leadership and a fast start have everyone feeling pretty good. Three wins over Big Rivers teams Menomonie, Superior and Chippewa Falls by a combined 22-1. That’s the good news. But this weekend, the Abes step out of conference and will find out a lot about their team. They are off to Arrowhead for a Quad against Arrowhead, a preseason Top 10 team in D4, and a Saturday game against Pewaukee. Arrowhead was ranked 3rd in D! as of this week while Pewaukee is ranked 9th in D2. Ready or not….the season is here.
Solid Start to the Year
When the season started we had a few questions.
- Will the Abes be able to replace the scoring from All Conference Forward Abigail Stow. Check that box so far. 22 goals by 10 different players. Now….we know the competition has not been the fiercest…no disrespect to their 3 opponents….but things are about to get tougher. Lauren Carmody leads the way with 5 goals, but Jackie Beaudrie, Emily Gross and Ava Kison have pitched in with 4-3-3 respectively. Goals by committee is a great path forward. Goals coming from multiple positions will keep opposing defenses from just focusing on shutting down 1 player. I like it so far.
- Will the GK and Defense shut down opposing teams? Check that box. 1 goal allowed in 3 games and that goal was on a set play. No goals allowed from field play. Impressive. I saw the stats from the Chippewa Falls game. 48 shots taken and only 1 shot allowed. 1 shot! The defense returned 3 starters on the back line and 1 in midfield along with a really strong GK. Sometimes scoring comes in waves and can go cold at times. Defense is a constant. We will learn in the next two games, but feeling pretty confident, Memorial will not give up a bunch of goals….will they be able to score against premier defenses is the question.
Weekend Expectations
Bummed I won’t be able to attend, but I am hoping the Abes can come away with at least 1 win this weekend. Might be too much to expect them to take down Arrowhead….pulling for it….but that is a big ask. A close game, a battle, score a few goals, put some pressure on Arrowhead….maybe find a way for a win. They have not been tested yet this year. They have not been behind yet this year. They have not had any game pressure on them yet this year. It’s time to learn and Arrowhead will give them that opportunity. I am thinking 2-1 type game. Coach Hanson’s first big game as Varsity coach. She has been on the bench for a bunch of these type games as a player and Assistant Coach so she knows the feeling. How will she handle rotations, how will the team handle this level of competition, etc. It will be a great experience for her. It will be a great experience for the team. Pewaukee on Day 2 will be interesting as well. Back to back games will really test the resolve and competitive fire for any team. I am thinking with what they learn in Game 1 they are really ready to deliver a result on Day 2. They really need the Arrowhead game. It will give them the perspective they need to build from for thje rest of the season. Coach Hanson needs some coachable moments. She is about to get a few I think! Go Abes.
Other Soccer News
-North scored their first goal of the season and outlasted Menomonie 1-0 for their first conference win this year.
–River Falls took down Rice Lake 7-1 and is looking very dangerous.
-Hudson off to a good start this year, 3-0 in conference and only 1 loss to non-conference foe Middleton.