After three road games late last week, it was time for some home cooking. Doesn’t it just feel good to get home after a long trip. It just feels comfortable. And that’s exactly how it felt for Memorial tonight, comfortable, as they cruised past River Falls at home 5-0. They scored early and often and went into the half at 5-0. The first half play was really solid. The Abes were on their front foot right from the start, controlling play, owning the possession and getting into the box at will. It was just a matter of time and they struck their first goal in the first 10 minutes. It was a steady flow from there until the half.
The second half allowed the starters to stretch their legs and about half way thru, Memorial made way for the reserves, giving the starting group some much needed rest after their hectic weekend schedule. What a difference a few days can make. The weekend trip to Green Bay offered up hot (90’s) and humid temperatures and a hostile away crowd. The field was not conducive to Memorials possession driven attack with excellent wide play and overlapping defenders. It was great to get back to Eau Claire and a field they dominate. The grass just feels better at home; no bus rides, no hotels, you get to sleep in your own bed and relax a bit. Memorial sure looked relaxed on the field and looked the part of the #3 Team in the recent State polls. A dominating performance and a nice departure from the intensity of the weekend.
Let’s take a look at the highlights.
Will Orser finishes off a nice shot after a great layoff from Rosenberger, who has totaled quite a few assists recently. Goal #5 on the year for Orser and a quick start to make sure River Falls had no thoughts of upset on the night. Sorry I did not get Will’s actual shot, but hey, I did get it going into the net. A nice driving shot…trust me.
In what likely is the best Assist-Score tandem in the BRC, goal #2 was a Jolly to Longville tally. A surging run down the left…a phrase I have used quite a few times this year….and a pinpoint cross into the box found the head of Longville who expertly flicked it into the net for a 2-0 lead.
Longville added another multiple goal game to his tally with his PK midway thru the half. He calmly set up the GK, who made an instinctive dive to his right while Longville chipped it down the middle. Very cheeky when it works !!
Hey, this is a good one. Scoring off set plays is critical in a successful championship run and Cooper Lyons has now scored two this year, both against River Falls, on set plays. As the ball pings around the box ( nice try Will) and is deftly saved by the keeper, Cooper roofs a left footed volley into the net. Nicely done young man.
Very excited to share this next one. Matt Martinez suffered an early season injury and missed multiple games as he rehabbed and worked his way back into form. His minutes are increasing and his contribution is as well. He is one of my favorite players and deserves some good things to happen for him the rest of the way. The Senior Captain scores his first goal of the season on a slick pass from Longville (yes…he assists too!) and a quick one time left footed shot past the GK.
I must share one more video clip. Sophomore defender Logan Junker almost bags his first varsity goal tonight. He is fun to watch with his speed, energy and enthusiasm for the game. A nice run from the left back spot, reminiscent of Own Jolley, and a nice shot that is destined for the net, only to be denied by the cross-bar. Sometimes the cross-bar giveth and sometimes the cross-bar taketh away. Keep shooting young man, your time will come!
Top 3 Takeaways from the Game
Another Clean Sheet. Man, I really don’t remember a clean shot on goal. I am sure there were a few, but maybe not. The defense continues to shine as well as solid play at GK. Jolley-Burlingame-Larson-Free combined with Hanson in goal is a tough nut to crack. That’s 9 clean sheets and 3 of the last 4. Did I mention that defense wins championships. I promise to feature the defense in some videos soon.
Offense is getting More People Involved. 4 players scored tonight. Longville will get his goals (A BRC leading 28 on the season) but it is great to see Memorial diversify a bit. 11 players have scored on the season. In the playoffs, when teams start to double and triple team Longville, the Abes will need the confidence that multiple players can get an important goal. That confidence is growing.
Nice to get to Breathe and Relax a Little. It was nice as a fan to have a game where we were in control and we could relax and enjoy the game without stress. I think the coaches and players were feeling the same. Green Bay Preble game was stressful, hot, and a bit frustrating. Tonight was the opposite; calm, cool and relaxed….and it was nice!! I’ll take a few more like this because I know we will have some stressful ones later.
North on Thursday and they picked up a nice win against Rice Lake tonight 3-2. So they will be full of confidence on Thursday. Get ready!