MONROE - Sophomore goalkeeper Devan Schulte gave a straight forward assessment of the Monroe High School boys soccer team's 1-0 loss to Fort Atkinson Thursday at Honey Creek Park.
"I think we didn't play our best, but we tried hard," said Schulte, who had 10 saves and was coming off a shutout of Madison Edgewood on Tuesday.
Fort Atkinson sophomore midfielder Julian Alvarado powered a low hard shot to the far post for a goal at 19 minutes, 10 seconds to give the Blackhawks an early edge.
"It was just a really good shot," Schulte said. "I was just late getting in there."
Monroe drops to 4-9-1 overall and 1-4 in the Badger South.
The Cheesemakers have been shut out six times this year.
"We are creating more opportunities, which is nice to see," Monroe coach Tony Vasquez said. "We still have to finish on them. We hit the post four times. It's unlucky. They were in the right spot and had an idea of what they wanted to do. It's a confidence thing. Once they get more comfortable they will put some of those shots in."
Schulte has played some junior varsity games but has served as the starting goalkeeper on the varsity for every game except two. He's emerged as a starting goalkeeper, which has allowed senior Atticus Pond to play in the field.
"The varsity team has been really fun," he said. "There was some pressure. I just enjoy playing soccer whether it's JV or varsity. The other guys encouraged me and still do it. It made it easier. I got more comfortable through the games."
Monroe is averaging 1.4 goals per game and features a roster with eight freshmen and sophomores.
"Nick (Schumacher) is really the only one of the four or five guys up front comfortable taking shots," Vasquez said. "We have two freshmen and a sophomore, and we are trying to see what their strengths are for our offense. Once they have some success the goals will come. Hopefully, we can improve on that before the playoffs."
Vasquez said the Cheesemakers' win over Edgewood for the first time in six years took a lot out of the team on Tuesday.
"It will be nice to get them a rest before we play Oregon and Cambridge-Deerfield," Vasquez said.
Monroe will play Oregon on the road Tuesday. Oregon, which has made a run to the WIAA Division 2 state tournament two of the past three years and leads the Badger South Conference, will provide a test for the Cheesemakers.
"It will be a game where we have to be patient and not wear down too early," he said. "Hopefully, our guys can learn from their style of play."
"I think we didn't play our best, but we tried hard," said Schulte, who had 10 saves and was coming off a shutout of Madison Edgewood on Tuesday.
Fort Atkinson sophomore midfielder Julian Alvarado powered a low hard shot to the far post for a goal at 19 minutes, 10 seconds to give the Blackhawks an early edge.
"It was just a really good shot," Schulte said. "I was just late getting in there."
Monroe drops to 4-9-1 overall and 1-4 in the Badger South.
The Cheesemakers have been shut out six times this year.
"We are creating more opportunities, which is nice to see," Monroe coach Tony Vasquez said. "We still have to finish on them. We hit the post four times. It's unlucky. They were in the right spot and had an idea of what they wanted to do. It's a confidence thing. Once they get more comfortable they will put some of those shots in."
Schulte has played some junior varsity games but has served as the starting goalkeeper on the varsity for every game except two. He's emerged as a starting goalkeeper, which has allowed senior Atticus Pond to play in the field.
"The varsity team has been really fun," he said. "There was some pressure. I just enjoy playing soccer whether it's JV or varsity. The other guys encouraged me and still do it. It made it easier. I got more comfortable through the games."
Monroe is averaging 1.4 goals per game and features a roster with eight freshmen and sophomores.
"Nick (Schumacher) is really the only one of the four or five guys up front comfortable taking shots," Vasquez said. "We have two freshmen and a sophomore, and we are trying to see what their strengths are for our offense. Once they have some success the goals will come. Hopefully, we can improve on that before the playoffs."
Vasquez said the Cheesemakers' win over Edgewood for the first time in six years took a lot out of the team on Tuesday.
"It will be nice to get them a rest before we play Oregon and Cambridge-Deerfield," Vasquez said.
Monroe will play Oregon on the road Tuesday. Oregon, which has made a run to the WIAA Division 2 state tournament two of the past three years and leads the Badger South Conference, will provide a test for the Cheesemakers.
"It will be a game where we have to be patient and not wear down too early," he said. "Hopefully, our guys can learn from their style of play."
