MONROE - One thrives on being vocal with teammates, and the other made a position change this year and relies on her defensive sidekick.
Monroe senior Allie Coplien serves as the sweeper for the Monroe girls soccer team and senior teammate Lez'lee Foley serves as the stopper. The two positions work in conjunction, and the pair of defenders are a big reason why the Cheesemakers (11-7) won the team's first regional championship and are set to play at Delavan-Darien in a WIAA Division 3 sectional semifinal Thursday.
"As a sweeper, I'm always yelling," Coplien said.
Both the sweeper and stopper positions in soccer share some similarities. Coplien as the sweeper is the last line of defense before goalkeeper Shyanna Kelley. Coplien is relied on to chase down balls all across the field and stymie breakaways for other teams. Foley as a stopper is the second to last defender before the keeper, and she works in unison with Coplien in the center of the field to throttle offensive attacks. Foley is often used more to set up scoring chances for the Cheesemakers' forwards and midfielders.
Foley is in her first year as a stopper. She has played soccer with Coplien since they were 7. Foley credits Coplien for helping her make the transition to stopper.
"I had to go from an offensive mindset to change to a D," Foley said. "It was a complete 180. It's crazy how much she has helped me. She (Coplien) is my mentor and teacher. She always has my back. I can always count on her."
The Cheesemakers have had a stingy defense in the postseason. The Cheesemakers have given up just one goal in the tournament and four goals in their last five games. Coplien credits the tighter defense for being familiar with one another.
"We have improved so much with our communication," Coplien said. "We have built up our ability to work together. I always know when she will take over a ball."
Monroe coach Miriam O'Neill said early in the season she was shuffling a lot of players around.
"At the beginning of the season everyone was still trying to find their place and position," O'Neill said. "Now at this point in the season, everyone has their position and we are playing focused. They have been really stepping up. It's all been coming together."
Both Coplien and Foley have similar strengths.
"She (Foley) steps up and has a really strong foot," O'Neill said. "She's a little more of an offensive defender."
Coplien focuses on shutting down the other team's top players.
"She (Coplien) has tremendous speed and very good instincts," O'Neill said. "She always seems to get there."
Both Foley and Coplien are excited for the chance to keep their roll going.
"We have worked up to this point the past four years," Foley said of reaching the sectional semifinals and being two wins from state. "Every time I think about it I just have a big smile."
The fifth-seeded Cheesemakers knocked off No. 1 seed Evansville to win the school's first regional championship in girls or boys soccer. The Cheesemakers are now on the brink of advancing to the sectional championship game if they can beat Delavan-Darien.
"This is a very winnable game," Coplien said. "We have to be as intense as we have been the last two games and I think we can bring it home."
Both of the Cheesemakers' wins in the tournament have come on the road. Monroe is looking to win its third straight game on the road.
"It feels really good we are able to beat other teams on their home field with their home field advantage," Coplien said.
Monroe senior Allie Coplien serves as the sweeper for the Monroe girls soccer team and senior teammate Lez'lee Foley serves as the stopper. The two positions work in conjunction, and the pair of defenders are a big reason why the Cheesemakers (11-7) won the team's first regional championship and are set to play at Delavan-Darien in a WIAA Division 3 sectional semifinal Thursday.
"As a sweeper, I'm always yelling," Coplien said.
Both the sweeper and stopper positions in soccer share some similarities. Coplien as the sweeper is the last line of defense before goalkeeper Shyanna Kelley. Coplien is relied on to chase down balls all across the field and stymie breakaways for other teams. Foley as a stopper is the second to last defender before the keeper, and she works in unison with Coplien in the center of the field to throttle offensive attacks. Foley is often used more to set up scoring chances for the Cheesemakers' forwards and midfielders.
Foley is in her first year as a stopper. She has played soccer with Coplien since they were 7. Foley credits Coplien for helping her make the transition to stopper.
"I had to go from an offensive mindset to change to a D," Foley said. "It was a complete 180. It's crazy how much she has helped me. She (Coplien) is my mentor and teacher. She always has my back. I can always count on her."
The Cheesemakers have had a stingy defense in the postseason. The Cheesemakers have given up just one goal in the tournament and four goals in their last five games. Coplien credits the tighter defense for being familiar with one another.
"We have improved so much with our communication," Coplien said. "We have built up our ability to work together. I always know when she will take over a ball."
Monroe coach Miriam O'Neill said early in the season she was shuffling a lot of players around.
"At the beginning of the season everyone was still trying to find their place and position," O'Neill said. "Now at this point in the season, everyone has their position and we are playing focused. They have been really stepping up. It's all been coming together."
Both Coplien and Foley have similar strengths.
"She (Foley) steps up and has a really strong foot," O'Neill said. "She's a little more of an offensive defender."
Coplien focuses on shutting down the other team's top players.
"She (Coplien) has tremendous speed and very good instincts," O'Neill said. "She always seems to get there."
Both Foley and Coplien are excited for the chance to keep their roll going.
"We have worked up to this point the past four years," Foley said of reaching the sectional semifinals and being two wins from state. "Every time I think about it I just have a big smile."
The fifth-seeded Cheesemakers knocked off No. 1 seed Evansville to win the school's first regional championship in girls or boys soccer. The Cheesemakers are now on the brink of advancing to the sectional championship game if they can beat Delavan-Darien.
"This is a very winnable game," Coplien said. "We have to be as intense as we have been the last two games and I think we can bring it home."
Both of the Cheesemakers' wins in the tournament have come on the road. Monroe is looking to win its third straight game on the road.
"It feels really good we are able to beat other teams on their home field with their home field advantage," Coplien said.
