Rice Lake earned a 0-0 tie against Memorial tonight on the road in Rice Lake.  It was just one of those nights when things did not go Memorial’s way, and Rice Lake stepped up their game at the right time.  You knew things were a little off when you arrived at the stadium and saw two key Memorial starters in street clothes.  But you still expected Memorial would find a way to get the win.  Plenty of talent still and a deep bench.  No worries right.

Memorial started off strong, has significant possession and played on Rice Lake’s side much of the first half.  There were plenty of shots, but many from distance.  A few chances in the box, but players were not able to pull the trigger.  Rice Lake’s game plan focused on playing long balls into their forward and hope for a quick strike.  Whenever they won possession, it was quickly played long.  GK Seth K. was their best weapon, with long goal kicks forcing Memorials back 4 deep and into some 1 v 1 battles to gain possession and clear away trouble.

The first half ended 0-0.  Still, you figured Memorial would work out the kinks and find a goal or two.  The second half produced more excitement.  Rice Lake had maybe the best two chances in the second half.  An early long ball and awkward bounce put their forward into space and a 1v1 on Memorial GK Hanson, who came up with a clutch save near the 18 to clear away the danger.  Later in the half, on a set play, Hanson had a leaping finger tip punch save of an arching header that looked destined for the top of the goal.  Again in the second half, Memorial dominated possession.  They were pressing for the winning goal and had multiple good chances. Two or three times inside the 18 and near the six where it looked like shots would find the net.  They ended up blocked, saved, just wide and on a few occasions, the shot never materialized.  Several good crosses looked dangerous but the volleys just would not find the net.  The controversy of the night occurred late in the game as well, when Jacob Peloquin went down hard in the box while the defender never made a play on the ball.  On this night, the call was not made and a goal kick resulted.  On a different night, maybe that call gets made.  It was just that kind of night.

As a sign of the night, just as Memorial was pressing for a late goal and had multiple corners, mother nature intervened.  Some lightning in the distance forced the Referee to stop the game and based on the game time , end the game with about 4 minutes to go.  Memorial felt a little robbed as the game was called as they were setting up for a corner and had a lot of momentum to get a late goal.

Top 3 Takeaways from the Game

Missing starters just throws off the team a bit.  Rotations change, the style of play changes a bit, and it takes some time to adjust.  Like missing your starting QB, or missing your starting PG in basketball.  It just impacts you a bit.  Maybe players were pressing a bit.  This was the first time this year when Memorial had not been up by multiple goals in the second half.

GK’s on both Teams determined the outcome.  It was a good battle and the GK’s both came up big. Rice Lake’s GKKursynski faced more shots but managed the game well.  Right place, right time and solid saves.  Memorial’s Hanson had fewer saves, but boy did he make them count.

Every Team faces Adversity. During a season it is bound to happen.  A tough night, shots not hitting the net, not getting the calls, etc.  A game you should win ends in a tie and it feels like a loss.  You just have to move on, regroup, get back to work and find your mojo.  Teams face injuries, tough losses and bad calls.  Championship teams find a way to have these moments motivate them and many times it is these moments that bring a team together to reach new heights.

Memorial hits 10 in win over Menomonie

Two programs in different places met on the pitch tonight as Memorial squared off against Menomonie.  Menomonie is working to build their program and is in the development stages.  After years of struggling to win or be competitive, there appears to be light at the end of the tunnel.  They have been competitive this year and have a tie against North to their credit.  Unfortunately, tonight they faced one of the better programs in Wisconsin and currently rated in the Top 5 in the latest polls.  A mismatch.

Some bright spots for Menomonie; a young GK who made some nice saves.  Some younger talent that will get better.  An investment by the community in a nice new complex including a new track and soccer pitch show the community is behind the team, and that is important!

For Memorial it was just a matter of taking care of business.  They played solid soccer, scored early….55 seconds into the game on a nice shot by Rosenberger..and scored often,  4 in the first and 6 in the second.  Just a good day at the office for the experienced, Senior laden Old Abes.  The goal…just don’t get sloppy or start any bad habits.  Play your game and get your goals and move on to Rice Lake on Thursday.  7 Old Abes hit the score book tonight including 4 by Longville , goals by Rosenberger, Orser, Brenner, Hayes and first time scores for Peloquin and Larson.

On to some highlights.  With 10 goals I had to pick out one of the best of the night.  A hustle goal by Longville.  A second half cross and volley by Brenner might have been better, but by that time I forgot to keep filming…too many goals.  I know it’s a little too dark…you have come to expect more from me…i agree.  I am working on how to improve the video.  Promise to get better.

Top 3 Takeaways from the Game

Defense Wins Championships and Memorial is Good.

So we are 5 games into conference and the Abes have given up 1 goal.  4 clean sheets out of 5 is pretty impressive.  No goals in three games.  The back line of Jolley, Burlingame, Larson and Free are starting to gel nicely.  They work well together, cover for each other and are fortunate to have solid GK behind them for the occasional shot.

Longville on a Tear.

I don’t know if they keep records for consecutive hat tricks (3 goals in a game), but by my count that is 3 in a row for Longville.  I have been around the program for the past 8 years and the only other prolific scorer I remember with this type of run was Zach Brown.  He carried the Abes to the State tournament with a string of amazing games and clutch scoring.  They score differently, but both score in bunches and also when it is needed by the team.

Young Guns Get Some Extra Time

With the game in hand, Coach Kite was able to get some extended playing time for some of his young guns.  Memorial starts 8 Seniors so getting the kids ready to contribute and also a taste of Varsity soccer will go a long way to making next years team successful.  Peloguin saw some extended minutes and looks to inherit a primary scoring role next year.  Young defenders Junker and Christopherson are getting more comfortable with Junker looking solid out wide.  Hayes looks to take on a playmaking role in midfield.  All good signs for the future of the program.

Rice Lake on Thursday and then a huge game this weekend against Middleton, ranked #2 in the state.  We will learn a lot about the Abes this weekend.  They have all the tools and elements to make a deep run this year and will get a serious test against Middleton.  Should be fun!  Can’t wait!

Did you ever pick up a book and feel like you have read it already?  It’s a good book, so you keep reading, but it feels very familiar.  Good cast of characters, good plot (the good guys win) and a satisfying ending.  That might sum up the Hudson game and the Memorial season so far.  What was billed as a showdown in the BRC between last years champs and this years leading contender, turned out to be a dominating performance for the Old Abes.  Very similar to several of their wins this year as they move to 6-0. They should now be considered strong favorites in the BRC.

Memorial came out of the gate strong and controlled the first 15 minutes getting rewarded on a goal from Jack Longville on a set play corner kick (recurring theme for the night).  Hudson seemed energized by the goal and picked up their game, passing and penetrating into the final third and had a nice 15 minute stretch, but were unable to put one away.  A few nice saves by Hanson keep things calm.  Memorial picked it up late in the half and scored a nice goal on a deep run by Joe Free (nice little wiggle to break free-no pun intended) and a solid cross into the box to find Longville for a sweet header goal.  2-0 Abes.  The outstanding first half continued with a few more header chances to score (Cooper-keep after it-you will get one soon) and another corner kick delivering goal #3, you guessed it, a header by Longville on a nice delivery by Owen Jolley.

Things calmed down in the second half and Memorial continued to keep Hudson chances and shots limited and eventually were able to find the net one more time on a set play.  Will Orser with a nice low drive on a ball coming out of the box for a 4-0 lead and another solid performance.  Maybe their most complete game of the season on the road against a tough opponent.  Memorial is getting some attention as well in the state as they popped up as #4 in the state rankings in this weeks poll.

Here are some highlights.  Still refining my video skills-may need to zoom in-but hey-at least you get some highlights.

Top 3 Take Aways.  Its late so I will make it quick.

Memorial has been strong all year.

Great Defense, excellent GK, solid Midfield and a dynamic Forward.  And now they are scoring on Set Plays.  Watch Out.  Very Dangerous team.

Owen Jolley (left back) and now Joe Free (right back) are adding a new dimension from the Defense.

Owen is marauding forward, providing assists and providing excellent deliveries from set plays.  Joe is gaining confidence pushing forward and had a great cross for an assist tonight.

Jack Longville is dangerous in the box.

Three goals all inside the six.  He should never take corner kicks or direct kicks again!

My first late night post.  Hope you enjoy it…time for bed!!

Memorial continued it’s early season success with a professional 4-0 effort against North.  You kind of expected Memorial to control the game.  You had a idea it would be a easy victory and MHS would have the bulk of possession and at some point find the net…on more than a few occasions.  What you didn’t expect was an early…and I mean early….North opportunity to grab a 1-0 lead and maybe put some pressure on the experienced Abes.  Alas for North, it was not meant to be.  A shaky early ball and a nervous moment was cleaned up by an excellent 1v1 stop by Tyler Hanson and a clearance off the line by defender Larson.  Man is Hanson cat quick and his reaction to the shot was really impressive.  Eventually the quality showed thru and two really nice first half goals by Longville and Rosenberger settled things down for the Abes.  A second half PK (I think the 4th in 5 games) and a cheeky volley off a long ball over the top made it 4-0 and a hat trick for Longville.

Highlights.  My first attempt so I apologize in advance..but hey..I am an old dude and trying to figure it out.  Might need to ask my millennial kids to help me out.  Ouch!  Here are the four goals…not in order…working on that!

Top 3 Take Aways from the Game

Memorial Just Wears You down.

It wasn’t flashy.  It was just solid execution in all phases of the game.  Hanson made the big early save but I only remember one more shot on goal.  After the early shaky start the defense controlled everything.  They manged a few balls North sent over the top and cleared away most balls in the box with composure and decisive stepping to win balls before they became an issue.  Midfield controls the game and eventually, they find a break thru and feed balls into Longville.  Orser and Lyons just boss the midfield impressively.  Longville just works and works up top and knows he will get his chances.  New this year is improved wing play to add a scoring threat and take some pressure off Longville.

Memorial is BIG

It was obvious that the Abes were much bigger and more physical than North. So far this season, I have not seen an opponent as big and strong as MHS.  I guess I should add fast and skilled as well.  In D and in Midfield they tend to boss other teams.  North has some nice players, quick feet and full of energy, but they just did not have the beef to hang with Memorial on D and in the Midfield. Offensively they are not as big, but Haig and Longville both bring an energy and physicality that is impressive.

Not Many Shots on Goal

I only remember two good chances for North.  Might have been a few more on goal, but nothing dangerous.  I have seen all 5 games and it strikes me that Memorial has not given up many goals (3) and even more impressive is the lack of shots on goal against the Abes.  I have not kept a scoring sheet, but just watching the games, it feels like they keep the shots to a minimum.  I remember a few periods in the River Falls game where they gave up a few and a few corners.  Same at Arrowhead for the first 10 minutes, but overall, pretty impressive to limit the chances and keep shots on goal to a minimum.  Again, just solid fundamentals, great field awareness and positional sense across the pitch.

It is really early in the season, but so far, it looks good.  Another big test in Hudson on Thursday.  We will learn a lot about the team and how far they may go after a tough road game against last seasons BRC Champs.  Should be fun!