End of the season posts are tough. No more possibilities to get on a run and win a few games, no more “next game” to look forward to…..especially for the seniors and especially for the parents of seniors. For the parents, we just love watching our kids play and watching the team. It’s pretty harsh, it just ends for most seniors who will never play another competitive game of soccer and for parents who will never watch their kids play another game of soccer….after watching them every year since they were 5-6. AYSO, ECU, High School…and then…BAM….nothing!! I lived it twice. The first was a bit easier as we had one more player headed to High School. The second was tough, that was the hard one, no more kids, no more soccer. Ugh! So what to do then…..well, maybe start a soccer blog and try to share the love of the game and watch the next generation step up each year. That sounds okay I guess, not quite having your kid play, but helps me scratch the itch.
Memorial Season Ends in Round 1
They had been on a nice roll, winning 8 of the past 9 games and looked like they might be dangerous in the Playoffs….but it was not meant to be. A 4-1 loss to DePere in the opening round ended the Old Abes season. I don’t have all the details, but sounds like the team was missing a few key players for the game….and that maybe sums up the season. Multiple line ups, injuries, key players missing time….and that all adds up to the inability to find rhythm and flow during a season. Continuity, consistency, comfort, and confidence….it felt like the team was just getting there, but fate would not work in their favor. Lots of talented and hard working players make up the team and the 9 seniors will be missed. They all saw time as starters and all played significant roles over their time in the program. Congratulations to all they accomplished over their careers and thanks for all their hard work over the years. I know a few injuries and players fighting back to get on the field. You feel for all the players, you know they wanted a few more games together, you know they wanted to go a bit deeper into the playoffs and make one last big run. We will always have the great memories, but sports can be tough, will and determination are not always enough and the Abes will now look to build on this year and try to get back to the top of the BRC.
How do we Rate Hanson’s First Season
Second place in the BRC….not bad. An 8 game winning streak late in the season…pretty good. Managing thru some tough challenges as a first year Varsity coach was impressive. Adjustments to the roster and formation were strong as well. She absorbed some tough losses and had her best weekend of the season late, winning two non-conference games in the midst of the 8 game streak. I think you call it a success, although I am confident she wanted more and is feeling she left a few games out there, but that’s good. Let’s give her time to build the program she wants and develop the players in her mold and her style of play. And by the way, she is following two really strong coaches… I mean really strong…. who had massive success at Memorial. That is tough. With a full off season of training and development, we will have a much better idea of her program next year. The future is bright and replacements are coming for the departing seniors.
Season Recap and Highlights
Small disclaimer….getting results is hard and so there might be a little margin for error in the following….but hey, my statistician is me, an unpaid, part time blogger, so you get what you pay for! But where else do you get this type of coverage for High School Girls Soccer!!
Overall Record: 13-7-1 League Record: 11-2-1 Second in the BRC
Best League Win: 5-2 against River Falls. It started to come together.
Best Non-Conference Win: 3-0 vs. Notre Dame during their 8 game winning streak. Was getting excited about then!
Goals Scored: 70 Goals Allowed: 28 Shut Outs: 9
14 Players Scored Goals: L. Carmody 14, Kison 10, J. Beaudrie 8, Etzel-Steines-Gross-Hanson 6 each, Sorenson 3, Graaskamp-Priem 2 each, B. Beaudrie-Thompson-Ivey-Hinden 1 each.
12 Players had Assists: L. Carmody 8, Kison 7, J. Beaudrie 5, Steines 4, Lindsay-Hanson-Etzel 3 each, Gross-Graaskamp-Thompson 2 each, Priem-Hower 1 each.
Scoring by Year: Seniors scored 46% of the goals. Juniors 43% of the goals. Sophomores 7% of the goals. So that means 50% of the goals return….that’s a pretty good start to next year.
Top Goal: Here is the best goal I saw this year.
Thank You Seniors
Jacquelyn Beaudrie, Madison Etzel, Molly Grasskamp, Madelyn Green, Leah Hujik, Ava Kison, Claire Steines, Elayna Chambers, Sarah Lindsay. Quality players and quality young women. You will be missed. Best to all of you!
Looking Ahead to 2020
So, always a bit tricky looking ahead, but heck, why not take a shot. The team will need to replace about half the starters next year. Big losses with Kison and Beaudrie out wide. Wing play will be critical to replace next season. Chambers turned into a rock at CB and Hujik was a two year starter at GK. As well, a bunch of starts and minutes with Grasskamp, Green, Steines, Etzel and Lindsay. That’s a ton of minutes in midfield, defense, wing play and some as forward. So where do we start for next year. The core spine looks pretty solid. Feels like with L. Carmody, C. Carmody, Gross Jochimsen, and Hanson you have a pretty strong core. Who will fill those open spots in the starting group. Who will step up and whose game will blossom. That’s the big question every year. There are 13 returning Varsity players and 5-6 open spots. Plus you have maybe 6-8 JV players moving up, pending how many they want to carry on Varsity next year. Will there be some surprise players take a starters spot, or will the new V players be role players and developing for the future. All great questions. That’s the fun part of the off season. Who will put in the work and earn their spot. JV is loaded. I think 1 tie and might not have lost a game. 11 Sophomore/Juniors and 11 talented Freshman ready to challenge. That competition will serve the program well. A few freshman called up to V might give us some clues but it’s wide open. I can’t wait! Another year for Hanson to build her program, another year for players to develop their skills. Tons of talent, but you still need to find a team. I am pretty confident it will be fun and could be real fun. One question–can we find some more goals and a few more dynamic offensive threats….I am pretty sure the midfield and defense will be stout. Plus–who steps into the GK spot. Some interesting questions as we head into the off season.
LET’S GO ABES. 2020 is the Year
State Tournament Update
Sectional 1 games this week: #1 Kimberly v. #5 Appleton East and #2 Bay Port v. #6 Appleton East. The BRC is out of the tournament with Hudson’s loss to Appleton East. In the other sectionals, all the #1 Seeds are still Alive: Arrowhead, Waunakee and Muskego. Not many upsets yet. Seeds remaining are:
Sectional 1: 1-2-5-6
Sectional 2: 1-2-3-4
Sectional 3: 1-2-3-5
Sectional 4: 1-2-3-4