Okay, so now its getting serious. We are down to the Sectionals….16 Teams remain in the state D1 Playoffs and the games are going to start getting really good. And that starts right here in Eau Claire with EC Memorial vs. Hudson.
We knew this was the likely match up and we know a few things already….it was going to be a physical match up…..it was going to be well played by both teams…..likely it would be a one goal game for much of the match and probably a few yellow cards…..these teams don’t really like each other. Success breed that competitive fire. Being the top two teams in the BRC makes this a true rivalry game. The stakes are almost always high when these two teams play. So let’s review.
First, a 3:00 start. now come on, how in the heck are we supposed to plan for a 3:00 game. Season games are 5:00, and then they move them to 4:30. Round 2 games started at 4:00….but 3:00. Holy Toledo. So of course no matter how hard you try, the phone rings, a meeting goes late, you rush to the game but arrive a few minutes late….and you miss the first goal. A header off a cross from Will Hartman to Garrett Woodford. Nerves are settled, the home team has a goal, all is right with the world. But then of course, I don’t have the video to show, what the heck. But I do have access to YouTube…so in honor of Woodford, let’s show a great header goal from years past. A flying header in tribute to crazy man Woodford who has a few amazing header goals this year. In your honor Garrett….
So now I have arrived and settle in. Top Observations for the game.
Kolton Prater is good. I knew the Hudson midfielder was good. He was Conference Player of the Year and I am guessing he goes back to back. A few Memorial players may have a case, but not sure anyone in the league is better. He is better than good, he is dynamic. Fast, physical, skilled, great feet, constant movement and energy. He really controlled midfield in the first half and looked very dangerous. A few collisions near the 18 made me very nervous. In the box?, out of the box?. A few no calls, but he also got his share of calls. Fortunately on this night, the free kicks just did not turn into anything dangerous. A few into the wall and a few easy saves, whew, we dodged a bullet with Kolton.
The Trio of Rosenberger, Nunez and Peloquin are clicking right now. This three headed monster from Memorial is really playing their best soccer of the season. They are all really fast, they are all willing passers, they all seem to know where the other two are located and they all have mad skills on offense. Shooting, dribbling, passing…..they are dynamic offensive players. It could have been 4-0 or 5-0 tonight.
A clean sheet on defense. Memorials defense is experienced, fast, physical, and all are really smart soccer players. Hartman, Gyorfi, Junker and Biwer really hold down the line and limit the attacks and shots on goal. Knowlton stops everything he should. The midfield, under a ton of pressure tonight, responded. Woodworth is a beast. Xiong is box to box. Whitis has stepped up his game and is earning his spot. Throw in Jolley and you have a scrappy group that plays really hard, very physical, presses everything and limits opportunities. 2 Goals to Hudson in 3 games is impressive.
The game was chippy. There were bodies flying everywhere. It got physical and a bit testy a few times. Fans are never happy, both teams always want the call to go their way, and are never happy if it doesn’t, but I thought the ref got the calls right. You knew the teams did not like each other, you knew it would be physical.
The better team won. It will be interesting to look at the stats tomorrow. Felt like Memorial won the possession battle. I think they had a pretty good advantage in shots as well. The shots on goal for Hudson were all manageable for Knowlton. Memorial hit for 2, but there were several very close, I think 3-0, 4-0 would not have been a surprise. Memorial got better each game against Hudson, from a 1-1 tie, to a 3-1 win to a 2-0 shutout.
Let’s look at some highlights.
What appeared to be an easy floater to the GK turned into an almost goal off the post. It was a sign the second goal was getting closer. And then there was the Rosenberger show! He was strong all night. He is a real difference maker and had multiple good looks tonight. He is saving them for the Sectional Finals I think…or hope! Here is a Rosenberger highlight reel.
The trio previously mentioned hooked up for goal #2. It all starts with a very high quality pass from Rosenberger. How he sees Peloquin, I don’t know and then he drops the ball into a perfect position. A really amazing pass. Peloquin does his thing and serves a ball right into the box and Nunez does his thing and delivers the final blow to Hudson’s hopes. Boom…Game Over!
Nothing left to do but celebrate. On the the Sectional Finals!
#2 seed Appleton North took down Green Bay Preble 2-1 in OT to advance to the Sectional Final against Memorial. It shows the game time on Saturday at 1:00. It also shows the location as Appleton North. So that’s interesting. I did not think a team could host a Sectional Final….that they were played in a neutral site. I’ll keep an eye on that, very surprising they would allow this game to be played at Appleton North’s home field ….Memorial is the #1 seed, Appleton North is the #2 seed. Curious!
New Richmond and Rice Lake both advanced as well to the Sectional Finals.