MONROE - In her first year as a full-time goalkeeper, Monroe senior Katie Coplien has solidified her role after performing like a human wall.
Coplien had 17 saves, including several spectacular diving saves in a 2-0 loss to Madison Edgewood on Tuesday at Honey Creek Park. She's convinced that no position is as challenging as the goalie, where a short-term memory is required.
"Goalie is probably one of the hardest positions mentally," Coplien said. "If you give up a goal, you have to tell yourself to keep going."
The Crusaders scored two goals in the final 10 minutes to seal the game. Edgewood sophomore Kathryn Anderson scored on a breakaway goal at 69 minutes, 59 seconds to give the Crusaders a 1-0 lead.
Coplien remained confident after the Crusaders scored their first goal.
"I thought let's forget about it and play like the game is still 0-0," she said. "You can't have that (a goal) on your mind."
Coplien credited the Cheesemakers' defenders, sweeper and midfielders for shutting down the Crusaders for 70 minutes. With the loss, Monroe drops to (1-1-1, 0-1 Badger South).
"I wouldn't be able to have all of those amazing saves without everybody," she said. "I don't think they (Edgewood) expected it would be this hard."
Monroe coach Miriam O'Neill is excited about building off the game.
"We shut them out for 70 minutes," O'Neill said. "That's a feat for a team like ours. We have a lot of young and inexperienced players. I can't wait to see what they will be like at the end of the season against teams like this."
Coplien made a diving save in the 23rd minute to keep the Crusaders off the board. In the 54th minute, the Crusaders ricocheted a shot off the top off the cross bar and the Crusaders' goal was wiped away after they knocked down Coplien.
After starting the season without an experienced goalkeeper, O'Neill said that Coplien will remain in goal.
"To perform like that in a tough game bodes well for the future," O'Neill said. "Her goal kicks were perfect. Her punts were strong."
The Cheesemakers' best scoring opportunity came when freshman Gabby Ludwig had a breakaway and was knocked down on a shot on goal in the 56th minute.
"Throughout the game she (Ludwig) was putting pressure on the defense by making tremendous runs," O'Neill said. "It's unfortunate that there was no goal that resulted because of that. Next time there will be."
Coplien has gained more of an appreciation of the previous goal keepers who have come before her.
"I respect the first two goalies I played with," Coplien said. "I never knew what they had to deal with. They had a lot of pressure on them. I give them a lot of credit. If you have never played it (goalie) you don't know what it's like."
Coplien had 17 saves, including several spectacular diving saves in a 2-0 loss to Madison Edgewood on Tuesday at Honey Creek Park. She's convinced that no position is as challenging as the goalie, where a short-term memory is required.
"Goalie is probably one of the hardest positions mentally," Coplien said. "If you give up a goal, you have to tell yourself to keep going."
The Crusaders scored two goals in the final 10 minutes to seal the game. Edgewood sophomore Kathryn Anderson scored on a breakaway goal at 69 minutes, 59 seconds to give the Crusaders a 1-0 lead.
Coplien remained confident after the Crusaders scored their first goal.
"I thought let's forget about it and play like the game is still 0-0," she said. "You can't have that (a goal) on your mind."
Coplien credited the Cheesemakers' defenders, sweeper and midfielders for shutting down the Crusaders for 70 minutes. With the loss, Monroe drops to (1-1-1, 0-1 Badger South).
"I wouldn't be able to have all of those amazing saves without everybody," she said. "I don't think they (Edgewood) expected it would be this hard."
Monroe coach Miriam O'Neill is excited about building off the game.
"We shut them out for 70 minutes," O'Neill said. "That's a feat for a team like ours. We have a lot of young and inexperienced players. I can't wait to see what they will be like at the end of the season against teams like this."
Coplien made a diving save in the 23rd minute to keep the Crusaders off the board. In the 54th minute, the Crusaders ricocheted a shot off the top off the cross bar and the Crusaders' goal was wiped away after they knocked down Coplien.
After starting the season without an experienced goalkeeper, O'Neill said that Coplien will remain in goal.
"To perform like that in a tough game bodes well for the future," O'Neill said. "Her goal kicks were perfect. Her punts were strong."
The Cheesemakers' best scoring opportunity came when freshman Gabby Ludwig had a breakaway and was knocked down on a shot on goal in the 56th minute.
"Throughout the game she (Ludwig) was putting pressure on the defense by making tremendous runs," O'Neill said. "It's unfortunate that there was no goal that resulted because of that. Next time there will be."
Coplien has gained more of an appreciation of the previous goal keepers who have come before her.
"I respect the first two goalies I played with," Coplien said. "I never knew what they had to deal with. They had a lot of pressure on them. I give them a lot of credit. If you have never played it (goalie) you don't know what it's like."
