WHITEWATER - Possessions and defensive play was the name of the game in the Monroe soccer team's 1-0 victory over host Whitewater in a WIAA Division 3 regional game Thursday.
"We were pretty evenly matched as far as shots-wise," Cheesemakers coach Miriam O'Neill said of her team's game. "(But) I think we dominated the possession game, and that's where we took advantage."
In the 34th minute of the first half, senior forward Gabby Ludwig netted what ended up being the game's deciding goal. While the Cheesemakers held the lead all throughout the match, they faced their share of challenges. Looking to even the score, Whitewater tried to respond, only to be denied by a stingy Cheesemakers defense led by senior goalkeeper Shyanna Kelley.
"Everyone was really focused," O'Neill said. "We believed we could win this game and that was shown by our defense. They were excellent and made great decisions ... Shyanna made a few amazing saves, and anytime you don't concede a goal, it really gives your team a chance to win."
Kelley staved off 10 shots by the opposing Whippets.
Monroe (10-7) will face No. 1 seed Evansville at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Sugar River 4, Mauston 1
BELLEVILLE - The Capitol conference champion Raiders found themselves in an early predicament in their opening round of playoff action against Mauston, after an early penalty kick gave the visiting Golden Eagles a 1-0 lead five minutes into the game.
Sugar River tied the game at the 22nd minute of the first half, and after a short four minutes, the Raiders took the lead. With momentum on their side, Sugar River again netted two more goals in a five-minute span midway through the second half to walk away with a convincing 4-1 victory.
The Raiders will take on No. 2 regional seed McFarland Saturday.
"We were pretty evenly matched as far as shots-wise," Cheesemakers coach Miriam O'Neill said of her team's game. "(But) I think we dominated the possession game, and that's where we took advantage."
In the 34th minute of the first half, senior forward Gabby Ludwig netted what ended up being the game's deciding goal. While the Cheesemakers held the lead all throughout the match, they faced their share of challenges. Looking to even the score, Whitewater tried to respond, only to be denied by a stingy Cheesemakers defense led by senior goalkeeper Shyanna Kelley.
"Everyone was really focused," O'Neill said. "We believed we could win this game and that was shown by our defense. They were excellent and made great decisions ... Shyanna made a few amazing saves, and anytime you don't concede a goal, it really gives your team a chance to win."
Kelley staved off 10 shots by the opposing Whippets.
Monroe (10-7) will face No. 1 seed Evansville at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Sugar River 4, Mauston 1
BELLEVILLE - The Capitol conference champion Raiders found themselves in an early predicament in their opening round of playoff action against Mauston, after an early penalty kick gave the visiting Golden Eagles a 1-0 lead five minutes into the game.
Sugar River tied the game at the 22nd minute of the first half, and after a short four minutes, the Raiders took the lead. With momentum on their side, Sugar River again netted two more goals in a five-minute span midway through the second half to walk away with a convincing 4-1 victory.
The Raiders will take on No. 2 regional seed McFarland Saturday.
