First impressions of Memorial’s game against Chippewa Falls…..an image of a wave coming at you….a big wave….and you just can’t get out of the way. Or if you are Chippewa it must have felt like running in sand. You are trying so hard, but you are just not getting anywhere. It was relentless for the first 20 minutes. I was very curious about the shape and positions, who would fill the open spots, etc. Coach Kite has a bunch of op[tions this year and so far, it looks pretty good. I recapped in the last blog their early season start, so let’s focus on the recent BRC game.
Memorial came out fast and quick and just blitzed Chippewa falls. The scored early and often and in a variety of ways. These are clearly two programs in a different place. Chippewa Falls is a program that won a conference title and went to state in 2011. But they are in serious rebuild mode currently with new leadership and it will take some time. Memorial doesn’t rebuild, they reload as they say. They have a deep roster with talented players who play fast and with physicality, but not knock you down physicality, just quick, talented athleticism.
The goals came from everywhere. Lui Shi Xiong netted his first goal for Memorial with a blast from outside the 18. Quickly followed by Ryan Biwer getting a few set play goals and Jared Nunez hitting a rocket bar down for a goal. Pretty quickly it was 4-0. Subs came in but the goals kept coming. A nice ball into the box was finished by Will Jolley….trying to see if he can catch big brother in the scoring column the next few years….and another goal from newcomer to varsity Cole Piltz with a goal from his left back position. I think that’s 6. A Rosenberger Pk was followed by the goal of the night for me (sorry Jared, but you did get the assist)….a sweet corner kick and header by Junker. That dude was thumped into the back of the net. Then a crazy ping pong goal….I am pretty sure it was headed three times before bouncing off Ryder Woodworth’s shoulder? Regardless, a goal is a goal is a goal. 9-0. It could have been 10-0 before half with another few chances. I decided it was time to check out JV. In my absence, another second half goal by Nunez and a goal by Evan Smith to open his Memorial account. 11-0 at around the 50 minute mark. What to do….game over….play on….it was decided to keep playing until the 60th minute, the traditional point at which a game is considered complete.
Top 5 Takeaways
- The team looks a bit different than in past years…and that’s a good thing. I can remember years with big, strong Center Backs and big, strong Midfielders. Memorial would bully teams in midfield and play a physical brand of soccer. They were very successful at it. This year feels different to me. The physicality is not in size and bulk, but in speed and athleticism. Every player seems to have top notch skills, great feet, good vision, and the ball moves quickly. It was fun to watch!
- The shape still looks like Memorial’s traditional 4-2-3-1, but the midfield, wingers and forward seem to interchange more, are more fluid up top. The movement off the ball, the passing, the switching of fileds, all keeps a defense off balance. No more having one player take a ball near midfield and try to beat a defense and score. Much more of a collaboration on offense. And it looked really good. Again, it was really fun to watch.
- Dominant Midfield. The midfield is exciting. I knew with the returning players it would be a strength. Nunez and Woodworth form a pretty strong duo but was curious who would fill that third spot. Wow….a big surprise. An all conference player in Lui Shi Xiong. Not a bad drop into the line up. These three really control the midfield space and win possession back quickly. And they score goals, 4 so far this year from the group….and they assist with 5 so far this year. A pretty impressive group and when they sub out the replacements are pretty strong as well.
- Press, Press, Press. If you win a ball, you better get ready, because a Memorial player will be on you really fast. There is no room for the timid. You asre going to get pressed, maybe from multiple players. You better have some confidence with the ball at your feet or ypou are going to lose it. The outside backs press up aggressively and get into the final third consistently. I didn’t time it, but there were a bunch of times Chippewa won a ball on defense and within 2-3 seconds the ball was back in Memorial’s control.
- Team Focus. I really love how they played, the combination play, the passing, the ball movement, the fluidity of play. Impressive. Barcelona like. Rosenberger seems to be the go to offensive player, but he plays so unselfishly, that it works, He can take over when needed, but there are so many weapons with Nunez, Peloquin, Smith, the midfield we discussed. The overlapping fullbacks. It was good stuff and very fun to watch…have I said that yet!!
Last, the team looks scary on set plays. It looks different this year. The balls are pinging in low and hot and the field players are attacking the ball with vengeance. Oh my! Get your kids and get out of the way!!
Okay, enough of that, lets get to the highlights.
With Biwer getting injured late last year, was really cool to see him net a few goals. You could see the joy in his celebration. Well deserved.
Not sure what happened here. A little Apple I-Phone issue, but then I thought, it was a perfect analogy for the game. This must have been what it felt like to be a defender for Chippewa. The fog, the daze, where are the Memorial players, I cant even see them , it’s all moving so fast….and then out of the fog…boom…a Jolley goal!
Okay, I have to admit I have a soft spot for all Junkers. A great family and I have seen Logan play from an early age. An impressive player, a captain I think I heard and a really really good soccer player. He plays the right way. I love his quiet confidence. Had to give him the goal of the match with this header.
A really fun night to watch the Abes. I know, I know, it was Chippewa Falls. There will be more tough games ahead, but if they keep focused and train hard, this could be a fun year! Go Abes!