DODGEVILLE - Monroe senior Kevin Noriega scored two goals to propel the Cheesemakers to a 4-2 non-conference win over Dodgeville-Mineral Point Saturday.
It marks the second straight win for Monroe (3-2). Monroe coach Tony Vasquez has noticed a difference as the Cheesemakers have looked to put their combinations and team play to use that they have focused on in practice.
"With the forwards and the midfielders working together, they moved the ball down the field easier than they did earlier in the year," Vasquez said. "They shared the ball more instead of taking it all on their own. They saw the reward at the end with the goals."
Monroe junior McKenzy Foley gave the Cheesemakers a 1-0 lead, scoring a goal on an assist from Noriega at 12 minutes, 27 seconds. Noriega then scored a goal on a pass from Ryne Miller at 32:20 to give the Cheesemakers a 2-0 lead at the half. Monroe senior Dan Tinoco scored a goal at 46:14 to give the Cheesemakers an insurmountable 3-0 lead. Noriega capped the scoring with his second goal on an assist from Foley at 71:30.
"We ask him (Noriega) to do a lot," Vasquez said. "We know he will have to carry us in some games this year. He always plays hard. He is not too overwhelmed by that role."
Vasquez understands this could be a key win come tournament time.
"The kids know they (Dodgeville) are in our playoff bracket," he said.
The Cheesemakers played the game without starters Silas Setterstrom, who was gone for the Labor Day holiday, and senior Matt Coplien, who was out after suffering a concussion Friday in a 2-1 win over Platteville.
It marks the second straight win for Monroe (3-2). Monroe coach Tony Vasquez has noticed a difference as the Cheesemakers have looked to put their combinations and team play to use that they have focused on in practice.
"With the forwards and the midfielders working together, they moved the ball down the field easier than they did earlier in the year," Vasquez said. "They shared the ball more instead of taking it all on their own. They saw the reward at the end with the goals."
Monroe junior McKenzy Foley gave the Cheesemakers a 1-0 lead, scoring a goal on an assist from Noriega at 12 minutes, 27 seconds. Noriega then scored a goal on a pass from Ryne Miller at 32:20 to give the Cheesemakers a 2-0 lead at the half. Monroe senior Dan Tinoco scored a goal at 46:14 to give the Cheesemakers an insurmountable 3-0 lead. Noriega capped the scoring with his second goal on an assist from Foley at 71:30.
"We ask him (Noriega) to do a lot," Vasquez said. "We know he will have to carry us in some games this year. He always plays hard. He is not too overwhelmed by that role."
Vasquez understands this could be a key win come tournament time.
"The kids know they (Dodgeville) are in our playoff bracket," he said.
The Cheesemakers played the game without starters Silas Setterstrom, who was gone for the Labor Day holiday, and senior Matt Coplien, who was out after suffering a concussion Friday in a 2-1 win over Platteville.
