What a night. One for the ages. Epic! Not sure how else to describe it. It was intense, it was nerve-wracking, it was amazing! It was all that rolled up into a great night of soccer as Memorial battled Green Bay Preble for the Sectional Finals and a birth into the Division 1 State Semi-Finals. Memorial outlasted Preble for a well deserved 1-0 victory.
It was also what we all expected. One goal games are now our calling card at Memorial. Gritty, hard-fought, gut wrenching 1-0 victories. These are not for the faint of heart. The last 3 games all decided by 1 goal. The last two games and 200 minutes, Memorial has never had a 2 goal lead. Count in the final 7 minutes of the DC Everest game and we have had 207 minutes of intense, white knuckle soccer. Here is something interesting. Memorial has never trailed in the post season. With all the close games, they have found a way to get a lead and just fight to the end. These boys are coming together and making a statement…we are going to hold the line and keep you from scoring. We are going to find a way to get the W and move on. For the fans, it has been a fun ride. For the players and coaches it has been memorable.
So let’s get into the game. I wanted to start with a nice shot of the boys during the player intros and also a video of their pregame huddle on the field prior to the game. Tonight was a bit different. The team spend a lot of time on the sidelines pregame. The team huddle lasted several minutes while Preble was on the field and ready to go. It was much longer than usual and seemed to indicate the stakes were a bit higher tonight, the focus a bit sharper. The starting 11 then moved to the field and huddled it up again. For another extended period. The fans were anxious, a few yelling to get the game started (Preble fans are not very nice I must say, glad to be rid of them for s season) while the Memorial fans waited patiently. I think the players knew the stakes were high. They would be tested and now was the time to get your mind right.
First Half
So any great match needs a little time to get settled in, for the teams to get in to the flow. This one stated quick. Memorial came out on their front foot and was in the Preble half for the first 5 minutes, getting off a few early shots to test the waters. Preble responded. The pushed into the Memorial end for the next five minutes and earned three quick corners, but were unable to get anything dangerous in to the box. The game was on! The first half was a pretty competitive game, not significant advantage to either team. I would say possession was split pretty evenly. Memorial had a slight advantage of time on the ball, but did not dominate possession. The Memorial plan was to use their passing game to penetrate and look for options up top with Longville, Peloquin and their wing players, especially Haig tonight. Preble focused more on getting the ball into wide spaces and playing balls over the top into space. Memorials back 4 was up to the task and were able to limit the shots on goal and clear out the dangerous balls. The first sign of life for Memorial came about halfway thru the period. A nice string of passes got the ball out wide to Longville who was able to swing the ball across the field to a surging Zach Haig. A nice move to create some space on the right side, a cut back to his left and a solid strike from Haig was goal seeking. A nice leaping deflection by Preble GK John Brasel pushed the ball up into the crossbar an out for a corner. That was a great save and Haig almost got the scoring started. Sorry for no video Zach. Had the play all the way until the shot and then I just lost the last part of the play. It was a nice shot though, and a very good save. Goal Posts will become a common theme tonight. They were very involved all night!
Memorial had a few more good chances, mostly off corner kicks. Jack Longville started to really come into the game midway thru and was dangerous the rest of the way. He got loose on the left and did what Jack does, a little wiggle, a quick move and …BAM! This one was pretty close. I was not at the best angle, but at half asked a few other fans how close and all agreed, the ball was bending into goal. If he had been just a few yards deeper, likely a goal.
Jack was not done. Later in the half he almost coaxes in this corner kick for a goal. Another great save by Brasel. We are knocking , just no answer yet. So the half ends at 0-0.
Second Half
Things got a little more interesting in the second half. It was another half that felt like Memorial was the better team. A little more possession, a few more shots, a few more corners. Never dominant, never comfortable, but you just felt like the goal was coming. Memorial spent more time in the Preble half and it felt like Preble’s plan was to counter attack. They have a ton of speed out wide with their wing players. When they won possession they quickly looked to get the ball outside and swing in some crosses. They had a few dangerous periods in the half on counter attacks. I can remember a few corners that we took that quickly turned into counter strikes by Preble. They could go from defense to offense really fast. Two plays stand out. About 10 minutes into the half their right winger got deep into the corner and whizzed a ball across goal. Two Preble players were in the area and both came sliding into the 6 box. Fortunately, it whipped past both of them without a touch….whew…breathe again!
Then the biggest moment of the game…maybe a little controversy…maybe some good fortune…or maybe just good defense and a little payback for the post that robbed us earlier in the game. Another Preble counter attack down the right side off a long ball played into space. It was decision time for Memorial GK Tyler Hanson. He had not been required to make a lot of saves, but this one was going to be interesting. The ball was pushed forward and Hanson had a decision to make. Come out and play sweeper keeper or hang back and let the defense try to win the battle. He started out…hesitated…and came hard toward the corner of the 18. It was going to be close…would he get there in time to avert the shot. The Preble player (Bennet Sinkler) was being pressed by defender Junker and sensed the oncoming keeper and expertly chipped the ball over the sliding Hanson. The ball is arching up and headed toward goal. How will we keep this one out of the goal. The ball hits just short of the goal and bounces up and hits the cross-bar and comes straight down onto the goal line. As it is bouncing back up, two Preble players go past the ball without a touch and into the goal area and the ball is cleared away by Memorial. Whew, wow, OMG, how did that not go in…anything else you can say I felt and every Memorial fan felt. So who saved it, you ask. Just like the movie Ghostbusters, you need to call somebody when there is danger. For Memorial, we have our own Goal Buster (cute huh…just thought of that one while writing). Who you gonna call, call Owen! That’s right, Owen Jolley. Yes, the same Owen Jolley who made the miraculous Ninja flying bicycle kick save to deny DC Everest is right there to calmly clear the ball off the line. The controversy…did it cross the line…should it have been a goal. So here are the other points of view. The AR was emphatically waiving his arms no goal. Okay, that’s one in our favor. A Memorial student running past my position a moment later comments that the ball was definitely in the goal. Okay, that’s one in Preble’s favor. So who has the definitive answer. Well, why not Owen Jolley. Just happened to bump into him a few hours after the game as he was relaxing with friends. So Owen, what say you? You were the closest to knowing, probably the only one who knows. His reply….the ball never crossed the line. No goal. Now for some kids you may wonder. Am I getting the straight scoop or not. I have had the pleasure of knowing Owen for the past 10 years or so. Had a chance to coach him as well. I can assure you, if Owen says no goal, then no goal. He is about as straight as you can get. He would not have hesitated telling me it crossed the line. So NO GOAL. Now you will likely never convince any Preble player, fan and definitely not the Coach, the ball did not cross. I think he got a yellow at this point for arguing the call. There is a video link of highlights at the bottom of the post. I have watched it a bunch of times, and I tend to now agree with Owen, based on the angle of the ball, I don’t think it crossed either. Live it feels like a goal and we were lucky. But on tape, it looks like no goal. Maybe it hit the line, but remember, it has to cross all the way over the line. And of course, Owen already told me no goal. No that’s the end of that controversy.
What now. At this point in the game, I stopped feeling nervous. I think the drama of the almost Preble goal had a calming effect on me. If it is meant to be a win, then we will find a way. I remember just sitting and shaking my head and laughing a little. So now more drama for Memorial. It is still 0-0 and we have 35 minutes left to play. Time for some Memorial magic. For the rest of the half it was Memorials game to win. They pressed, they moved the ball, they earned corners, and they took their chances. It kind of felt like a set play game as well. Just find a way to bang one into the net.
Orser almost finds a way. Bodies flying everywhere. Denied by another post. Ugh! Keep shooting!
Peloquin almost scores on a glancing header. Don’t know how this did not go in. What a great save. As well, you can hear the anxiety in the fans. A bunch of screaming and cheering. We are getting closer.
And then this happened. The calls were interesting all night. It was a physical game. Lots of clock stoppages, a few yellows (5) and a few late questionable free kicks for Preble that were very confusing. I like a physical game, but not sure about this one. I mean, really, what did the ref see. Pretty clearly gets taken down from behind. Maybe the Preble player gets the ball first before he takes out the player, so I guess maybe okay, but a pretty favorable no call for Preble.
68th minute. Corner kick. Is this the goal. Check it out and then we’ll talk.
Yes! Martinez cleans it up on the backside after a header and great save. Cooper just misses a header. It looks like Longville heads it on goal. The keeper makes the save but can’t secure the ball. It heads back out onto the field. You can see Matt making a late run and the ball just sits up perfectly for the run. Looks like a one time volley and he strikes it well. Headed for goal except one problem. Simon Larson is in the goal having just missed on a volley as well. The ball is whizzing in and actually glances off his back side as it is goes into the net. That would have been a bummer if he blocked it, but Memorial was due. It was time. Big goal for Matt. 1-0 Memorial. Great story from Matt in the news and paper about how Kimamo (Asst. Coach) told him to hang back just a few yards in anticipation of a late run and the ball finding its way to the back side. How did he know that? That’s good coaching!
From there, it was time to try to kill the game.. and get the second goal. Another almost from Orser. Another post. Ugh. Another stab save by the GK . Ugh!
Cooper almost makes it 2-0. Just a bit outside.
No second goal. And now the clock watching starts. 70 minutes…75 minutes…80 minutes. So far, nothing too dangerous. The defense is sitting in and defending. We are clearing balls and burning clock where we can. The last 2 minutes things get interesting again. On two occasions, fouls are called on Memorial in very dangerous spots, Maybe 20-25 yards out. Nerves are back. Thoughts of the first Preble game start to creep into mine and probably every Memorial fan’s head. Flash back to September 23 with Memorial leading Preble 3-2 late in the game. A few questionable calls give Preble a free kick from 30 yards . Their GK comes forward into the box, a scramble takes place, a throw in, and somehow in the last 20 seconds, Preble ties the game 3-3. Flash forward to last night. Last minute of the game, there is a questionable call and the Preble GK comes forward into the box. A free kick from 30. Ball is played into the box, a header across into the box, the Preble GK headers it toward goal….but it goes over the net for a Goal Kick. Whew. Disaster averted. No repeat magic for Preble. Memorial plays it out and hangs on for the win.
SECTIONAL CHAMPS. HEADED TO STATE FOR THE 10TH TIME IN SCHOOL HISTORY.
Better Photo coming , but this will hold you for now. Lots of smiles!
A few additional Takeaways from the game.
Sophomore Logan Junker stepped up huge for Memorial. With Burlingame being out of the game there was some concern over the back 4. No need to be concerned. Junker played big all night. He stepped hard, played aggressive, passed well and stayed poised. A big game and a big moment, but not to big for Junker. Well done kid!
Burlingame gets another game. So for me, one of the themes for the night was Bryce needed to play another game. It would just not have been right for him to end his high school career watching from the sidelines. If you watch the celebration video closely, you will notice Bryce near the end of the video (white hoodie) getting a big hug from a few players, including Cooper. Cooper and Bryce go way back and have played side by side for 10 years. I think their way of saying, “we got you bro”. You then see Bryce bend down and get caught up in the emotion. I think a pretty special moment for him and a pretty humbling moment likely. Tough night for Bryce and family and it feels really good he gets one more game….at least!
Martinez with the game winner. If you picked just one player to score a goal, a player who deserves it and a player who is probably the hardest working and nicest kid on the team, you would pick Matt. So cool he scored. What a great kid. I love Matt.
Box Score. Lots of drama and some controversy, but Memorial deserved to win this game. Corner Kicks: Memorial 8, Preble 3. Shots: Memorial 16, Preble 4. Possession was in Memorials favor all night. The only stats in favor of Preble. Saves. Their GK had 7 and kept Preble from getting blown out. Plus they had more yellows in a bit of a testy contest.
State Brackets. Normally, the brackets are predetermined, you automatically are set up. In the old system, we play M<arquette in Semi-Finals. In the new system, adopted just this year, the WIAA reseeds the final four to create the best potential Final. This year the seeding are: Marquette #1, Memorial #2, Arrowhead #3, Madison West #4.
State Semi-Finals. Marquette v. Madison West Thursday 4:30. Memorial v. Arrowhead Thursday 7:00. Yes, the same Arrowhead we played in our very first game this year. A big rematch….again.
If you would like to check out more video… Go to WQOW. Try pasting this into your browser. First 2:00 minutes is soccer updates. Then go to EWEAU, soccer video starts around 2:06 of the video. This one has the controversial save/goal attempt by Preble you, although Owen already cleared all that up. Decide for yourself. Copy and paste into your browser.
http://www.wqow.com/category/136730/video?clipId=13860337&autostart=true
Here is a link to WEAU Sports Scene 13. Copy and paste into your browser on this one as well.
http://www.weau.com/content/sports/SportScene-13-for-Saturday-October-28th-2018-453941953.html
Good recap of Memorial, New Richmond and McDonell/Regis wins last night.