MONROE — Facing a goal deficit twice the match, Monroe responded each time to end with a 2-2 draw against Wisconsin Heights-Barneveld on Monday, Sept. 16.
On paper, the final result matched predictions. The two teams had three common opponents with similar results — Monroe defeated Dodgeville-Mineral Point 3-1, as did WHB 2-1; Monroe drew with Cambridge-Deerfield 1-1, while WHB won narrowly 3-2; Monroe tied with Platteville-Lancaster 1-1, whereas WHB lost 4-0. The Cheesemakers blanked Portage-Poynette 5-0, but the Vanguards’ game against United was canceled.
Although his team kept its undefeated season alive, Monroe head coach Matt Coplien knew that if his team played like it was capable of all game, the result may have been different.
“I think we could have played better in the first half,” he said. “If we came out swinging all game like we did in the second half, I think the outcome could have been better. However, we came back to tie, so we will take the positive with the negative.”
Outside of an early scoring opportunity on a Reese Mcintosh header, WHB dominated much of the first half. Greyden Schomber received a throw-in and dribbled through multiple defenders to score in the 12th minute. Less than a minute later, Brooks Behn’s free kick was on goal, forcing Nate Richardson to his knees for a save.
Just like Monroe, WHB utilized its set pieces. Joseph Burton threw in to Schomber, who immediately passed back to a wide-open Burton. Richardson made a jumping save on Burton’s shot, knocking the ball out of bounds. Monroe cleared the ensuing corner kick.
Just three minutes later, Schomber received a through pass from Cooper Shipman that threaded three Cheesemaker defenders. Richardson came out of the net to deflect the shot, resulting in another Vanguard corner kick. Once again, Monroe was able to clear.
Trevor Owens nearly made it a two-goal game, as his free kick hit the top pipe. In the final minute of play in the first period, Burton took a shot outside of the box, and Richardson made another jumping save to deflect the ball out of play. On the ensuing corner kick, Schomber’s shot went wide right, as Brandli pressured from behind.
“I think some of the boys are getting nervous because they know they know they can do something special. It was a slow first half and the nerves were definitely showing,” Coplien said. “But once we sat and talked as a team, we realized the rest of the season we are playing with house money, and that’s when the boys started to play Monroe soccer again.”
It took the Cheesemakers just six minutes into the second period to find their footing, and the score came on none other than a throw-in from Brandli. Gavin DeNure headed the ball into the air, where Hudson Davis headed it just over the fingertips of the Vanguards’ keeper for a goal.
After 20 minutes of back-and-forth play, Monroe had its next scoring chance. Brandli’s throw-in trickled out of a pile of players toward the goal. WHB’s Finn Sutherland dove at the ball, but it rolled off his fingertips out of the back line. The clock stopped, as Sutherland lay on the ground gathering his composure. He stayed in the game, and Carsen Bartholf’s subsequent corner kick hit him square in the chest.
But as quickly as Monroe gained momentum, it switched to WHB. Sutherland booted the ball away to Schomber near midfield. The Cheesemaker defense gambled with its aggressive defense and lost, as Schomber went the length of the pitch and scored.
“We got caught out of shape,” Coplien said. “Our guys were trying to press, and we just lost our formation for 30 seconds. WHB capitalized on it.”
Down a goal for the second time in the game, Monroe needed a score to keep its undefeated season alive. But the Cheesemakers had plenty of time left, 14 minutes to be exact.
With eight minutes left in the contest, Jaden Leistiko snagged a loose ball, dribbled up a couple yards and made a centering pass to DeNure in front of the net. DeNure laid out for the ball and headed it past Sutherland to knot the score at 2-2.
“DeNure’s goal was one of the best goals I’ve seen from any level of soccer ever,” Coplien said. “It was pretty sweet to see in action. But that ball from Jaden to set him up was unbelievable, and it simply shows the talent we have on this team.”
The score held for the final eight minutes, resulting in Monroe’s fourth draw this season. The Cheesemakers have back-to-back conference games against Whitewater and Evansville.
SUGAR RIVER 2, CAMBRIDGE-DEERFIELD 0
BELLEVILLE — The Raiders notched their fifth shutout of the season on Sept. 17.
Drew Brueggemann was responsible for both goals, occurring in the first half. Sugar River had 19 shots on goal. Clayton Streiff faced six shots on goal and made four saves.
