PLATTEVILLE — Despite falling to Platteville-Lancaster 4-2 on Tuesday, Sept. 5, Monroe is taking small steps to ensure future success. Last season, the Pioneers beat the Cheesemakers 4-1. 

“The team played really well against a very competitive Platteville,” Monroe head coach Matt Coplien said. “Our guys are hungry. You can see it in them that they want to get better and win.”

Monroe got on the board with goals from Osmar Fernandez Sanchez and Reece McIntosh. Defensively, sophomore Nate Richardson earned his second start in goal and made multiple saves to keep the game close, according to Coplien.

“I’m really proud of how Nate has stepped up when the team needed him most,” Coplien said. “For only being a sophomore, he’s becoming a leader on this team quickly. Nate played phenomenally at the JV level and showed a confidence level that very few young gentlemen could. He earned the [starting varsity] spot outright, and he has done amazing for this team.”

SUGAR RIVER 7, FORT ATKINSON 0

FORT ATKINSON — Coming off its second-place finish in the Big Foot Invite, Sugar River kept its foot on the gas for a 7-0 shutout against Fort Atkinson on Tuesday, Sept. 5. 

Eight different players contributed to the offense, led by Aiden Hatleberg and Alvaro Perez with two goals each. The remaining three goals came from Justin Pauli, Brady Mousseau and Jack Leonard. In total, the Raiders put 13 shots on goal. Defensively, Clayton Streiff stopped all three shots that came his way.

With its performance over the last week, Sugar River (6-1-0, 1-0-0 Capitol) enters the Division 3 rankings at No. 9. Last week, the Raiders were unranked. State runner-up Notre Dame sits atop the standings with a 4-1-0 record.