The second half of the Big Rivers Conference play has started. Teams have completed their first 6 games and are now working thru their second wave of games. Memorial hosted Chippewa Falls last night on a cool…okay, maybe a bit cold…and a little rain too, ugh. Lets take a quick look back. Memorial opened their conference play with a 3-1 win over Chippewa Falls on August 30. Kind of a blah game….kind of played down to the competition a bit. A young team in just their 2nd game of the season, missing a few key elements.
Flash forward to last night. A more mature team, playing in their 10th game, with a full squad (almost), and now with positions, substitution patterns, and style of play all being worked out. The score in Round 2 against Chippewa Falls was 9-1. Brenner with 3, Sulzer and Christopherson with 2 each, Hanson, yes Hanson with a goal and the goal of the night from Nunez. So…what do we make of that.
A Few Observations
-No more playing down to the competition. Memorial seemed more focused with more energy. They were flying around the field from the first whistle and imposing their will and style of play onto CF all night. It really did not matter the score. The intensity was there all night. That is a good sign with some big games coming soon.
-A little change in positions looks to be working and paying dividends. Brenner seems to be locked into the 9 (Striker) spot now and he is dynamic up top. He finished the night with a hat trick. Scored on a nice chip after a great pass thru the defense. Scored on a nice volley touch on a ball in the box. He is dangerous. He has a scorers mentality. He has skills. He needs to touch the ball in dangerous spots because he scores goals.
-Jared Nunez has found a home in the Attacking Midfield spot. Does he remind anyone of a younger version of Will Orser….or is that just me. He really controls the midfield. has a calmness about him. Has great passing instincts. Has really quick feet and wins balls. And….he has some serious confidence and he is starting to score some goals. Last night he delivered maybe the goal of the year. he stunner really. From I am guessing in the 30 yard range. Wow. I was shocked he took the shot…it was not really a shot you would expect. He saw it differently…he scorched a shot, a rocket, from deep into the corner of the net. It shocked the Chippewa Falls GK as well. He did not move an inch. Was frozen in place. Amazing goal….and he is a freshman. We got a good one!
-Getting Peloquin out wide and using Sulzer out wide as wingers is creating some speed wide and creating chances. Throw in a great rotation including Zumwalt, Smith, and Hartman and the wing play looks improved. 15 shots on goal last night.
-Larson has settled into the back four and looking comfortable. Only 1 shot allowed last night. Senior leadership on the back line will be crucial moving forward. Larson and Sulzer missed the first Hudson game. Really curious is they make a difference in Game 2.
Lets Look at Some Game Highlights
Now up top, Brenner is a really dangerous player. A quick video, but the vision to anticipate the pass and the calm head to chip the GK is really impressive. Stay hot Mitch!
Here is the goal of the night for me. Now I have to admit, I left with about 10 minutes to go and the Abes up 5-0. I had 4 goals on video, plenty for the blog….was getting cold…hate to admit that…but it’s true. I needed a bigger coat. Now maybe the PK by Hanson would have been a good one for video….sorry Tyler. Two goals from Christopherson would have been cool as well…sorry Dalton. But…the goal below was pretty sweet. It’s a longer video so hang in there. I lost the ball a few times…filming in the rain and wind and trying to hold an umbrella presents its challenges. I even moved off Jared just before the shot as I was thinking he was about to pass it forward. He shot it…and oh did he shoot it well. I will make sure to hold the camera on him in the future. A shot could come at any time from anywhere.
Really cool to see Sulzer get into the scoring column. I think he will be an important player down the stretch. Here is the first of two. Did Larson knock it in. Did it go in just before Larson touches it. Not sure. Simon may have an argument, but the announcer and box score give it to Alex.
Here is a crazy long goal. Larson with a free kick from the Abes half of the field. A really deep kick…a header from a Chippewa defender….a high karate kick volley from Alex and then a quick touch to jam it into the goal. Crazy, but hey, we’ll take it. Another confidence boost for Sulzer.
Senior Night. Thank you Mom and Dad.
I could not resist to get some video of Senior Night celebration. Supporting your player is an honor and privilege. It is a bit sad as a parent knowing its your sons last season. Only a few games left to watch them play Old Abe soccer and be part of the Memorial Family. I feel pretty connected after 8+ years. Well done parents. Keep cheering them on. Seniors–congratulations on your Memorial career. There are still some memories to make this year!!
From Left to Right: Tyler Hanson, Jacob Harmsen, Mitch Brenner, Alex Sulzer, Jacob Hartkemeyer, Dalton Christopherson, Carlos Verduzco, Lucas Zumwalt, Simon Larson, Connor Stadnyk.
Go Abes. Trust the Process!!