So now we know. It has come down to Thursday. Well, I suppose something strange could happen, a few losses that we don’t expect could happen. But really, I think we have been expecting this game for a few weeks now. Thursday night in Eau Claire; Hudson @ Memorial. Not quite a winner take all, but basically. The winner will take hold of the BRC lead and in all likelihood, the BRC Title. Could Rice lake get a win or tie against Hudson, Could Rice Lake get a win or tie against Memorial, could North surprise Memorial if they are caught looking ahead, yes, yes and maybe yes……….. but if form holds then this will decide the title. A big game for sure.
Let’s take a quick look at the results the past week in Big Rivers play to see how things are developing.
Games on 9/26: Rice Lake over Chippewa Falls 7-0. Hudson defeated Nort 2-0 and River Falls took down Menomonie 9-0.
Games on 10.1: Memorial 10 -0 over Chippewa Falls, North 2-1 over Menomonie and Rice Lake and River Falls play to a 2-2 draw.
This was a big win for North. After going down early, they fought back for 2 goals, the second in the 84th minute, and earned their first BRC victory of the year. They might yet still have something to say about the BRC title is they can play big against Memorial next week. Also, I have been surprised about River Falls. Felt like they played Memorial tougher than Rice Lake, but in their first game, Rice Lake took the win. This made more sesne to me, a 2-2 game as I felt River Falls was a bit better than they showed the first game..
Games on 10.3: Memorial cruised past River Falls 4-0, Rice Lake with a hard fought 2-1 win over North. Again…North playing better. Hudson taking down Menomonie 7-0. As well, Hudson stepped out of conference this week and faced off with a strong New Richmond team. They beat them 3-0. That’s an impressive win against a team ranked #9 in D2. Hudson is playing well and full of confidence.
Memorial stepped out of conference against Wauwatosa East and Oshkosh West over the weekend. Another chance to build a resume and some confidence heading into the final part of the season. The Wauwatosa game was fun to watch. Memorial had the better of possession and chances created, but the game stayed close throughout. You felt the constant pressure would lead to a goal at some point. Early in the half on a set play, the first goal almost came, the header just wide of the mark.
And then this happened. After a long run of possession with the ball switching fields and then being played down the right side, a pass is dropped and a ball is fired into the box. Only one player is in the area, but that one player is a bit of a daredevil and also a bit fearless with his body, Garrett Woodford.. If you watch the video closely or maybe rewind and rewatch a few times….you’ll see this is quite a goal. A flying, both feet of the ground, glancing header into the corner of the net to beat a GK who is also leaving his feet and trying to stop it. So glad he didn’t.
We almost made it 2-0 just before the half on a bang bang play near the 18. It would have been nice, but the team played well in the second half, had a few more chances and finished off a well deserved 1-0 win. On Saturday they fell behind early in the half 1-0 in a game they should definitely win. They continued to play their game and were rewarded with a Mason Sherman goal to go level at the half. More steady play and chances were rewarded with a Peloquin goal late in the half to secure the win and fisnish off a strong weekend. This should have them feeling good about North and Hudson this week.
Big Rivers Standings
- Hudson 6-0-1 19 Points
- Memorial 6-0-1 19 Points
- Rice Lake 6-1-1 19 Points (still 3 games against Hudson/Memorial)
- River Falls 3-4-1 10 Points
- North 1-6-1 4 Points
- Menomonie 1-7-1 4 Points
- Chippewa Falls 0-5-2 2 Points
Games on Thursday: North @ River Falls, Hudson @ Chippewa Falls, Menomonie @ Memorial.
High School Coaches Poll
Marquette continues to hold the top spot in D1 again this week. Followed by Arrowhead, Verona, Madison West and Madison East. Now you know why we go to Madison for non-conference games. Uff da. The BRC jumps into the Top 10 with EC Memorial at #6 and back in the poll after their big weekend last week is Hudson at #7. Oconomowoc, Neenah and Homestead finish off the top 10.
Rice Lake holds onto #10 in D3 and New Richmond has the #9 spot in D2.
MLS Update
Minnesota United is currently in the MLS Playoffs with the #4 spot in the Eastern Conference. Playoff soccer in Minnesota….let’s go check it out this fall! Quick Update, Seattle beat Minnesota 1-0 today…not surte if Minnesota is out but doesn’t look good.
Did I mention there was a big BRC game this week?