So, a few weeks have passed and now it is time to reflect. Memorial wrapped up their season in the Sectional Finals with a difficult 4-2 loss to Bay Port. I could have written this blog last year…same result, Memorial loses to Bay Port in the Sectional Finals, just a different score 3-2 in OT. Felt like this one was headed to OT until the cruel fates of soccer prevailed. A shot to take the lead just misses and near full-time, Bay Port somehow finds the game winner on a shot that typically does not find the net. In a game of inches, Bay Port found a way against a very good and determined Memorial team. Bummer dude. That sucks! Tough way to go out…back to back years to Bay Port. Does it help that Bay Port went on to win the State Title. Not sure, but maybe it was just destiny…Bay Port lost in the State finals last year and was on a revenge tour to get back and win. That on top of having some of the best talent in the state. Tough combination.
So..a successful season by an awesome group of players or …..a disappointment to go out in the same round against the same team…YES. I think you probably are feeling both, but mainly you just wanted to see this group make it to State. They really deserved that. Just dumb luck to have to face the State Champion in the Sectional Finals. I felt this team had all the keys to a deep run. Solid GK, tough defense, possession minded and aggressive midfield, dynamic forwards, experience….just needed a little luck as every team does to get to state. Bummer dude…did I say that already? So I am taking the great season approach!
So let’s take a little stroll down memory lane and recap the season for you.
Season Stats
Record: 18-3-1
Shut Outs: 9
Goals Scored: 119 (5.4 per game)
Goals Allowed: 22 (1 per game)
Conference Record: 14-0
Conference, Regional Champ
Player Stats- Goals Scored
Abigail Stow 37
Lauren Carmody 20
Josie Barstad 14
Jacque Beaudrie 9
Ali Bowe 8
Serena Sorenson 7
Ava Kison 5
Molly Graaskamp 5
Olivia Pasch 3
Madison Etzel 2
Morgan Priem, Sarah Lindsay, Rebekah Gerry, Jenna Hinden, Claire Steines 1 each.
A few thoughts:
Good News/Bad News. 34% of your goals are returning…but you lost the Conference Player of the year.
Stow was Hot late. As the season progressed, Stow started to take over. She scored 37, but 25 of those were in the last 9 games. She scored the only 2 goals in the final game.
Post Season Honors
With a team this successful, you are going to have some players recognized for the individual performances.
Abigail Stow: Conference Player of the Year, 1st Team All Conference, 1st Team All State
Ali Bowe: 1st Team All Conference, 2nd Team All State.
Rebekah Gerry, Serena Sorenson, Ava Kison: 1st Team All Conference
Lauren Carmody, Leah Hujik: 2nd Team All conference
Jordan Barstad: Honorable Mention Big Rivers. I think maybe Cameron Carmody as well, but not 100% sure I have that right, My apologies. She certainly deserves it!
State Tournament Results
Division 1. Bay Port over Sheboygan North 3-1 for State Title. Interesting note: Bay Port’s only loss of the season was to Sheboygan North 1-0. What a way to end your season, getting revenge on your only loss of the year and winning state after losing in the finals the previous year. Story book stuff. It’s a pretty cool story…except they beat us. Bummer Dude!
Division 2. Brookfield Central state champs 2-0 over Oregon. Quite a dynasty they have in Brookfield. River Falls made the state semi-finals Very Cool!
Division 3. Notre Dame 1-0 over Catholic Memorial. Yes, the very same Notre Dame we lost 2-1 in a great game. Rice Lake made the state semi-finals. Very Cool!
Division 4. Kenosha St. Joseph 2-1 over Cedar Grove-Belgium. Regis made the state semi-finals. Very Cool!
In case you were not aware, Memorial has a nice history in the state soccer tournament. 9 trips to State along with 15 BRC titles, and I think. Impressive.
DeRusha Resigns
Hard to have a season recap without mentioning there is a change of leadership coming to Memorial Old Abes girls soccer program. Scott DeRusha stepped down as Head Coach after a very successful 5 year run at the helm. An impressive 99-16-3 record, 5 BRC Titles in 5 years and 1 trip to State. Sure wish he had hit the century mark, would have meant a trip to state. Bummer Dude! It is a very attractive program for a head coach candidate. Great program, successful history, rich tradition, dominant Conference record, a winning program with a chance to get to State every year. Sounds pretty good. Anxious to hear the replacement. Can they keep their run going….will they reload and not rebuild….will they change systems…great questions. I do know they have some serious talent to build around. AND some serious talent coming into the program as Freshman next year. All the best to Coach DeRusha, quite a run and quite a program he built. Thank You! The future is bright!
A few Highlights to Remember the Season
Started the season on an 13 game unbeaten streak. Impressive.
Ranked as high as #2 in the State Coaches Poll in mid season. The highest raniking I can remeber for the program.
Winning Goal vs North
Maybe the Best Game of the Year. A classic game of two really good teams. Physical play, great athletes all over the field. Down 1-0 late when Abigail Stowe did this. This really sums up her Conference Player of the Year Award. Wow! And you just knew it would happen and DC Everest still couldn’t stop it.
Congrats to the 7 seniors on a great season and for your contributions to the program. This will be a tough group to replace but the program is deep and the next wave is coming! Returning starters Hujik (GK), Ava Kison, Abby Jochimson, Gretchen Hanson (Defenders), Jacque Beaudrie (winger), Cameron Carmody (Midfield) and Lauren Carmody (Forward) make a solid foundation to build from. A deep bench with players ready to fill the gaps from the Seniors. A JV program full of potential. Whose next! Go Abes!
World Cup post Coming Soon….I promise!