MONROE - Maddie Kallgren's love for soccer started with the Monroe Rebels. Even though she lives in Albany, she followed the Monroe soccer program.
Kallgren, a freshman who open enrolled to Monroe this year, had a memorable first game, scoring three goals in the Cheesemakers' 8-4 loss to Lodi Friday at Honey Creek Park.
"I was surprised," Kallgren said. "I didn't really think that would happen. It wasn't just me. I wouldn't be able to do that without the whole team and the passes they gave me. It's a team effort. You have no idea how good it feels. I have been playing with these girls since sixth grade. It feels so good to finally be able to play with them (in high school)."
Lodi sophomore Taylor Baker scored four goals to power the Blue Devils. The Cheesemakers got off to a rocky start, as the Blue Devils scored four goals in the first 19 minutes. Lodi senior Paige Cooper scored the first goal at 6 minutes, 20 seconds. About three minutes later, Lodi senior Camryn Kellogg scored a goal from about 20 yards out near the Cheesemakers' sideline. The Blue Devils also got first-half goals from Chann Schmidt and Baker.
"I think it was the first-game nerves and a little disorganization in the beginning," Monroe coach Miriam O'Neill said. "I think they were a little shocked that Lodi was strong, aggressive and had some good foot skills. I think it was just their first game on the field and (our players) were overwhelmed by their power. You get a couple of goals scored on you and psychologically it's hard to come back. They could have even got more down and they didn't. They came back."
The Cheesemakers stormed back from the 4-0 deficit, sparked by Kallgren. Kallgren scored a breakaway goal that she slipped in by the near post. Monroe sophomore Emily Frankowski ricocheted a shot off the top of the cross bar in the 43rd minute. Ludwig followed up the rebound with a shot. Kallgren was at the back side of the net and she punched in a goal by the near post to cut the Blue Devils' lead to 4-2. Ludwig added a breakaway goal late in the first half to cut the Blue Devils' lead to 4-3 at the half. Despite out-shooting the Cheesemakers 39-10, the Blue Devils led just one goal at the half.
"I was very happy with the way Maddie and Gabby were playing in combination at forward," O'Neill said. "I think, for the first game together, they played very well."
The Blue Devils put the game away when Baker scored three goals in 1:25 in the second half. Kallgren capped the scoring for the Cheesemakers with a header goal, on an assist by Ludwig at 70:01.
The Cheesemakers broke in two new goalkeepers in the game. Sophomore Gwendolyn Ambrose had seven saves in the first half, and junior Shyanna Kelley had 11 saves in the second half.
"They are both brand new varsity players," O'Neill said. "It's a big step for them to be in a varsity goal. It's the most difficult position to play. You feel a huge responsibility being the goalie. For the first game they did the best they could do."
Kallgren, a freshman who open enrolled to Monroe this year, had a memorable first game, scoring three goals in the Cheesemakers' 8-4 loss to Lodi Friday at Honey Creek Park.
"I was surprised," Kallgren said. "I didn't really think that would happen. It wasn't just me. I wouldn't be able to do that without the whole team and the passes they gave me. It's a team effort. You have no idea how good it feels. I have been playing with these girls since sixth grade. It feels so good to finally be able to play with them (in high school)."
Lodi sophomore Taylor Baker scored four goals to power the Blue Devils. The Cheesemakers got off to a rocky start, as the Blue Devils scored four goals in the first 19 minutes. Lodi senior Paige Cooper scored the first goal at 6 minutes, 20 seconds. About three minutes later, Lodi senior Camryn Kellogg scored a goal from about 20 yards out near the Cheesemakers' sideline. The Blue Devils also got first-half goals from Chann Schmidt and Baker.
"I think it was the first-game nerves and a little disorganization in the beginning," Monroe coach Miriam O'Neill said. "I think they were a little shocked that Lodi was strong, aggressive and had some good foot skills. I think it was just their first game on the field and (our players) were overwhelmed by their power. You get a couple of goals scored on you and psychologically it's hard to come back. They could have even got more down and they didn't. They came back."
The Cheesemakers stormed back from the 4-0 deficit, sparked by Kallgren. Kallgren scored a breakaway goal that she slipped in by the near post. Monroe sophomore Emily Frankowski ricocheted a shot off the top of the cross bar in the 43rd minute. Ludwig followed up the rebound with a shot. Kallgren was at the back side of the net and she punched in a goal by the near post to cut the Blue Devils' lead to 4-2. Ludwig added a breakaway goal late in the first half to cut the Blue Devils' lead to 4-3 at the half. Despite out-shooting the Cheesemakers 39-10, the Blue Devils led just one goal at the half.
"I was very happy with the way Maddie and Gabby were playing in combination at forward," O'Neill said. "I think, for the first game together, they played very well."
The Blue Devils put the game away when Baker scored three goals in 1:25 in the second half. Kallgren capped the scoring for the Cheesemakers with a header goal, on an assist by Ludwig at 70:01.
The Cheesemakers broke in two new goalkeepers in the game. Sophomore Gwendolyn Ambrose had seven saves in the first half, and junior Shyanna Kelley had 11 saves in the second half.
"They are both brand new varsity players," O'Neill said. "It's a big step for them to be in a varsity goal. It's the most difficult position to play. You feel a huge responsibility being the goalie. For the first game they did the best they could do."
