BELLEVILLE — After a 1-0 loss to McFarland in a WIAA sectional last season, Sugar River changed its strategy for the 2023 campaign. The Raiders’ hard work and commitment to the new tactic paid off in a 4-2 win over Dodgeville-Mineral Point (0-1-0, 0-0-0 Southwest Wisconsin) in the season-opener on Tuesday, Aug. 22.

“We have a new tactical strategy. What we saw tonight reinforces what we’ve been working on for the last couple of weeks,” Sugar River head coach Bob Gentilli said. “The new approach that we have showed tonight. It was fantastic.”

Sugar River (1-0-0, 0-0-0 Capitol) applied pressure early with four scoring opportunities in the first 14 minutes. Tikeh Tazeh made a centering pass to senior captain Aiden Hatleberg, whose subsequent shot sailed over the net. In the same minute, the Raiders’ corner kick was headed out by the Dodge-Point defense. Another two corner kicks were unsuccessful, and Nathan Hendrickson’s shot outside the box was too high.

The Raiders finally broke through in the 16th minute, as Hatleberg dribbled into the box, where he was met by three defenders. In last year’s 8-0 win over Dodge-Point, Hatleberg scored five goals, and the defense wasn’t going to let that happen again.

“They’ll double him. We knew just from last year they will track him, so wherever he moves, it will open up a window,” Gentilli said.

Tazeh found himself in the right spot at the right time, getting a pass from Hatleberg for a goal and early 1-0 lead.

“The big part is scanning — checking your shoulder, staying aware and knowing where the ball and opponents are,” Tazeh said of his scoring opportunity. “When he [Hatleberg] is creating those scoring chances, there’s room in that area. I just got lucky that I was in that space to finish.”

The Raiders remained relentless until the 20-minute mark, when both teams got a water break. Despite the game starting near 7 p.m., the temperature remained in the upper 80s with high humidity. As southern Wisconsin experienced record temperatures for August, both teams thought it imperative to keep their players safe.

“Coach told us it’s all about preparation before the game. You have to hydrate days before. Get water in your body and get rest,” Tazeh said. “When you do all that, the game is certainly a lot easier.”

The break proved favorable for Sugar River, as the Raiders scored three goals in the final 20 minutes of the half. Hatleberg took a free kick in the 22nd minute, and his shot connected with Jack Leonard for a header that was blocked. Brycen Teasdale stood ready for the rebound and put it past Dodge-Point’s keeper. Two minutes later, Josh Potter scored on another second-chance opportunity.

“We have to put the ball on frame. What we tried to do was line drive the ball or keep it on the ground for some rebounds,” Gentilli said. “Tonight was an eye-opener because it worked.”

Hatleberg capped the scoring with a penalty kick, resulting from Teasdale and a Dodge-Point defender colliding on a header in front of the net.

The only error Sugar River made all half was an errant pass to keeper Clayton Streiff that sailed over his head and into the goal. Outside of the mishap, Streiff left the net just one other time to make a save.

Out of halftime, Sugar River kept the pressure on. In the first 16 minutes, the Raiders had two shots miss wide, one hit the pipe and another two stopped by keeper Jake Scheckel. Even though Sugar River had the momentum, Dodge-Point scored its second goal in the 59th minute on a shot from Bobby Allbright that just glanced off Streiff’s finger tips. 

The Raiders looked to counter, but each shot was either saved or too wide. The four first-half goals were enough, giving Sugar River its first win of the season.

“It was about relentless pressure and not letting them have too much time with the ball. While we didn’t get a second-half goal, we still played incredibly that second half and kept the pressure on,” Tazeh said.

In the second half, Leonard went down in front of the net on a Dodge-Point corner kick. He walked off on his own but the training staff diagnosed him with a concussion. Per Gentilli’s report, Leonard will be out for a week before returning to the pitch.

In that time, Sugar River will have road games against Milton and Evansville. A season ago, Sugar River narrowly defeated Evansville, 2-1.