Things are winding down in the BRC and right now it looks like EC Memorial will be your Big Rivers Champs for 2109. In what was essentially a championship game, Memorial took down Hudson last week 3-1 to take control. Only an upset or wobble would keep them from taking the title and they have taken care of business since then with back to back 7-0 wins over North and Menomonie. With just one game left against Rice Lake, even a loss guarantees them a title…I think….as they would own the tie breaker with Hudson based on the win last week.
The Memorial v. Hudson game lived up to expectations. A physical and aggressively played encounter. Memorial struck first and then extended their lead to 2-0 at halftime. The game with Hudson is always a battle. Even with the lead, the Abe’s took 3 yellows in the first half. The second half, the physical play continued and the fate struck, Memorial got hit with a penalty in the box, PK, Hudson scores and the game is now 2-1. Game on! Nerves initiated! I predicted 2-1 and now Memorial would have to hold off a charging Hudson team. But sometimes in soccer, the referee will giveth and sometime the referee will taketh away. A few minutes later and a Hudson foul in the box and Memorial delivers and the score is 3-1. Memorial weathers the quick storm and finishes the game off 3-1. Big Rivers Is now under control and There just need a few wins to finish it off, which they got. Well done Memorial.
Big Rivers Updates
Hudson with back to back 4-1 wins over Rice Lake has locked in the 2nd spot in Big Rivers. River Falls with back to back wins over Chippewa Falls has put some pressure on Rice Lake but looks to finish 4th. Rice Lake has taken care of all their games this year but just can’t get past the top two teams in BRC. Menomonie, North and Chippewa Falls fill out the 5-6-7 spots.
Coaches Poll
Not many changes this week in the coaches poll for D1.
- Marquette
- Arrowhead
- Verona
- Madison West
- Eau Claire Memorial
- Madison East
- Oconomowoc
- Neenah
- Homestead
- Hudson
State Playoffs-Seeding Announced
With just a few games left this year, the seedlings have been announced and are available to view at wiaawi.org. Let’s take a look at how the Big Rivers is set up in the tournament. Here are the seedlings:
D1 Sectional 1: Memorial #1, Hudson #2, Chippewa Falls #7 and North #8. A bit confused by the Chippewa Falls and North, I would think those two would be reversed. Oh well, just an innocent bystander blogger here with an opinion. In D2 Section 1: River Falls #4, Menomonie #6 and local team New Richmond with a #2 seed. In D3 Sectional 1: Rice Lake earned a #1 seed. In D4 Sectional 1 McD/Regis looks to have secured the #8 seed this year and has a tough road to advance.
If seeds hold, then another Memorial v. Hudson showdown looms, but a few games to go before that happens and some good teams to get past. On Memorials side of the bracket is Stevens Point who earlier this year beat Hudson and has wins over Green Bay Preble and DC Everest and is a very dangerous team. As well, cross town rivals can always make the game interesting in the opening match with North. They have a quality GK who can get hot. Wausau West has some quality wins too, so Hudson will have their hands full. Bay Port and Appleton North look like solid picks to advance. When they went from 8 teams at state down to 4, it made getting to State a really big accomplishment. It is quite a challenge to advance. Take a look at Sectional 2, the top 2 teams in the coaches poll, Marquette and Arrowhead are in that Sectional and have to face off to get to State, oh my.
Upcoming Schedule
Memorial starts their playoff run next Tuesday, 4:30 at home vs. North. Get your popcorn ready….here we go!