MONROE - In dominating fashion, the Cheesemaker boys soccer team kicked off the season by posting two shutouts en route to winning the Monroe Invitational Saturday.
Monroe (2-0) shut down Columbus and cruised to a 3-0 win, and they later rolled to a 6-0 win over Richland Center.
"It's a boost for our confidence," said senior Corey Flannery, who had a goal and had an assist in the win over Columbus. "We want to go into that first conference game at Stoughton on Tuesday with some momentum. I think we will have a good team this year. It's just getting those first game jitters out of the way. I think we can win conference this year."
Monroe got off to a quick start against Columbus with sophomore Seth Calaway scoring a goal in the 17th minute on an assist from junior Blake Duffy. Flannery scored his unassisted goal in the 32nd minute to give the Cheesemakers a 2-0 lead at the half.
"We wanted to come out strong," Flannery said. "We want to pressure the ball early and win it."
Monroe coach Tony Vasquez said it's important to get the first goal so they can dictate the tempo of the game.
"We try to play more aggressive," Vasquez said. "It's a lot easier when people are chasing you. We have some young guys who are new playing with each other. We want them to get some chemistry before conference."
The Cheesemakers played without two starters - junior defender Alex Hendrickson and senior midfielder Alex Einbeck - who were both on vacation.
"It can only make you better when you get these younger guys extra playing time," Vasquez said.
Senior Jesse Keizer added a second half goal on a pass from Flannery in the 70th minute to give the Cheesemakers a commanding 3-0 lead.
The Cheesemakers had six different players score goals against Richland Center. Duffy scored the first goal in the 23rd minute. Senior Ben Murray scored in the 36th minute on a pass from Duffy to give the Cheesemakers a 2-0 lead.
In the second half, the Cheesemakers exploded for four goals.
Flannery scored on an assist from Murray at 43 minutes and Dan Tinoco scored about 10 minutes later to give the Cheesemakers a 4-0 lead. Sophomore Kevin Noriega scored a goal in the 63rd minute on a pass from Keizer. Keizer then capped the scoring with a goal in the 79th minute.
"It's nice to have the scoring spread out," Vasquez said. "There is not one star. The skill level is pretty even across the board. Teams can't just shut down one player this year."
Monroe (2-0) shut down Columbus and cruised to a 3-0 win, and they later rolled to a 6-0 win over Richland Center.
"It's a boost for our confidence," said senior Corey Flannery, who had a goal and had an assist in the win over Columbus. "We want to go into that first conference game at Stoughton on Tuesday with some momentum. I think we will have a good team this year. It's just getting those first game jitters out of the way. I think we can win conference this year."
Monroe got off to a quick start against Columbus with sophomore Seth Calaway scoring a goal in the 17th minute on an assist from junior Blake Duffy. Flannery scored his unassisted goal in the 32nd minute to give the Cheesemakers a 2-0 lead at the half.
"We wanted to come out strong," Flannery said. "We want to pressure the ball early and win it."
Monroe coach Tony Vasquez said it's important to get the first goal so they can dictate the tempo of the game.
"We try to play more aggressive," Vasquez said. "It's a lot easier when people are chasing you. We have some young guys who are new playing with each other. We want them to get some chemistry before conference."
The Cheesemakers played without two starters - junior defender Alex Hendrickson and senior midfielder Alex Einbeck - who were both on vacation.
"It can only make you better when you get these younger guys extra playing time," Vasquez said.
Senior Jesse Keizer added a second half goal on a pass from Flannery in the 70th minute to give the Cheesemakers a commanding 3-0 lead.
The Cheesemakers had six different players score goals against Richland Center. Duffy scored the first goal in the 23rd minute. Senior Ben Murray scored in the 36th minute on a pass from Duffy to give the Cheesemakers a 2-0 lead.
In the second half, the Cheesemakers exploded for four goals.
Flannery scored on an assist from Murray at 43 minutes and Dan Tinoco scored about 10 minutes later to give the Cheesemakers a 4-0 lead. Sophomore Kevin Noriega scored a goal in the 63rd minute on a pass from Keizer. Keizer then capped the scoring with a goal in the 79th minute.
"It's nice to have the scoring spread out," Vasquez said. "There is not one star. The skill level is pretty even across the board. Teams can't just shut down one player this year."
