BELLEVILLE — The Sugar River Raiders claimed sole possession of the Capitol Conference title Oct. 12, knocking off Wisconsin Heights-Barneveld 3-1.
Gavin Boyum gave the Raiders the lead less than eight minutes into the match, with Aiden Hatleberg assisting. Hatleberg then made it 2-0 less than seven minutes later, with Ben Lukszys assisting.
In the second half, Lukszys tallied a goal of his own in the 70th minute, with Ryan Downing assisting.
Sugar River (11-1-2, 8-0) needed the win to withstand a potential co-championship with Wisconsin Dells (12-1, 7-1).
Up next for the Raiders is a WIAA Division 3 regional semifinal game Oct. 21 at Reddan Park in Verona. Sugar River received the No. 3-seed in the sectional and has a first-round bye. The Raiders will play either 19-seed Jefferson or 14-seed Mauston. The regional championship will be Oct. 23 against either West Salem or McFarland, with time and location yet to be determined.
Monroe 5, Portage/Poynette 3
POYNETTE — The Cheesemakers scored their first victory of the season Oct. 12, toppling Portage/Poynette on the road. It was the team’s first win in nearly two calendar years, with the last victory coming Oct. 15, 2019 against Milton.
Monroe fell behind in the fifth minute on a Luke Wilson goal, but the Cheesemakers scored the equalizer just two minutes later — and the go-ahead goal in the ninth minute. A 38th-minute goal put Monroe ahead 3-1 at halftime.
The Cheesemakers then scored back-to-back goals in the 44th and 52nd minutes to go ahead 5-1. Portage/Poynette added goals in the 62nd and 67th minutes, but Monroe was able to hold on and run out the clock.
“The goals we allowed were a header off a cross, a PK, and a well placed lofted shot from the top of the 18 that glanced into the upper left corner off the crossbar. This last goal we allowed came in the confusion after we were not awarded a foul it seemed we should have been in the opposition’s box, a quick counter attack was launched up the line and we were just a step out of formation and off our marks when the cross came in,” said Monroe coach Matt Bodeau.
Luis Torres scored twice and had three assists. Sebastian Watkins had two goals and Carson Buholzer added a goal. Alessandro Chagoya had an assist. In goal, Jack Carter had 10 saves.
“This was a true team win and a great game to watch,” Bodeau said. “We started the season with Sebastian Watkins in the striker position, then quickly had to begin starting him in various other positions as we lost players to injuries and unavailabilities. Returning players strengthened our defensive line and midfield for this game, allowing us to return him to the striker role. With the speed, endurance, and off the ball movement he provides in the front line our options in attacking transitions really open up. We have very capable and well balanced attacking midfielders.”
Bodeau said his defensive line played a crucial role as much as the offensive line.
“When this defensive line is clicking and injury free we are able to shut down a higher percentage of attempted attacks higher up the field with well timed challenges, hold a strong connected line, and rapidly clamp down on any breakthroughs that occur,” Bodeau said.
Monroe received the No. 16 seed and will host 17-seed Prairie du Chien/River Ridge/Seneca at 4 p.m. Oct. 19 at Honey Creek Park in the opening round of the WIAA Division 3 playoffs. The winner will travel to face top-seeded and unbeaten Evansville at 7 p.m. Oct. 21.
