MONROE — The Cheesemakers gave up two goals in the first two minutes of their Parent’s Night game April 28 against Fort Atkinson, eventually leading to a 3-0 defeat to their Badger Conference rival.

Fort Atkinson (2-5-1, 0-1-1 Badger East) put pressure on Monroe (1-7, 1-2 Badger West) right away, scoring on a corner kick just 1:23 into the game on a header. Blackhawks senior defender Payton Neste came sprinting into the 18- and 6-yard boxes right as teammate Abby Branaman launched the set piece. Neste was able to find a crease in the Cheesemaker defense, and the header bounced just out of the reach of Monroe goalie Kaelyn Welch.

When play restarted, the Cheesemakers did little to hold possession, with the Blackhawks taking control almost right away. Branaman then found a clearing from 30-yards out and sent a booming kick over the defensive backline and Welch, making it 2-0 just 2:09 into the game.

Monroe had multiple offensive opportunities of its own to get on the board during the opening half, but each attempt was thwarted by the Blackhawks.

Then, with less than three minutes before halftime, Fort made the best at another corner kick chance. This time Neste took over a loss ball in the top of the box, set herself and sent a left foot to the far corner. Neither team scored the rest of the way.

Monroe dropped out of the Big Foot Tournament scheduled for April 30, and was scheduled to play Mount Horeb (4-6, 2-3 Badger West) May 2 at home. The Cheesemakers take the pitch next on May 5 at home against Wisconsin Heights/Barneveld (0-4-2) in a nonconference game.

Sugar River second at Big Foot Tournament

WALWORTH — The Raiders lost to Westosha Central in the championship of the Big Foot Tournament held April 30. All the games were played on Big Foot’s field turf pitch, and each match lasted 50 minutes instead of the normal 80.  

Sugar River (6-1-1) knocked off Delavan-Darien (5-6-2) 3-0 to start the day, then scored a 1-0 win over Platteville-Lancaster (4-4-1). Meanwhile, Westosha Central beat host Big Foot 7-0 and Waukesha Catholic Memorial 1-0 to reach the championship. Westosha, with an enrollment nearly double that of Sugar River, defeated the Raiders 2-0.

Hannah Boldebuck, Bella Brenkman (penalty kick), Anya Brenkman and Jenna Gentilli each scored for Sugar River on the day. HHH Thompson and Callie Smith each had assists for the Raiders. In goal, Morgan Thompson had 12 saves on the day, with Skyler Beyer adding two.