MONROE - After winning four straight games and playing a scoreless first half against Milton, Monroe was stunned in the second half in a 4-0 loss to the Red Hawks.
Milton (6-2-3, 1-2 Badger South) dominated the second half, exploding for four goals to propel the Red Hawks past the Cheesemakers Tuesday, Sept. 17 at Honey Creek Park. It was a blow to Monroe (5-4-1, 2-1 Badger South) because the Cheesemakers have averaged 4.5 goals per game during the winning streak. The Cheesemakers had just six shots on goal and the Red hawks had more than twice as many shots on goal.
"We knew coming in that we wouldn't have as many opportunities," Monroe coach Tony Vasquez said. "We have to get them to play 80 minutes. Today we played one half. That won't do it against good teams like Milton."
Milton sophomore Jake Schmit lofted a goal just past the outstretched arms of Monroe junior goalkeeper Austin Murphy. The goal was assisted by Kevin Schuh who made a pass on a corner kick to set up the goal. Milton sophomore C.J. Curtis scored a goal at 49:48 on a cross by Schuh to give the Red hawks a 2-0 lead.
"It seemed like after that first goal it took the wind out of our sails," Vasquez said. "After that second goal, they just kind of gave up."
Another area the Cheesemakers have thrived is off corner kicks and throw-ins.
"A big part of our game is corner kicks and deep throw-ins," Vasquez said. "We didn't have one of those until the second half."
Monroe senior captain Taylor Teasdale wasn't happy with the team's performance.
"They were fast to the ball and we were slower," Teasdale said. "We let our guard down. We were just chasing the ball in the second half. After they scored that second goal we kind of gave up."
Teasdale received a yellow card in the second half for what officials ruled was a reckless penalty when a Milton player tripped over him.
Milton sophomore Matt Sheehan scored a goal from about 15 yards out to give the Red Hawks an insurmountable 3-0 lead at 59:24. Milton's Sean Grote capped the scoring with a penalty kick goal at 77:39. Murphy had six saves for the Cheesemakers.
"Our depth hurt us in the second half," Vasquez said. "Our guys wanted a breather and we couldn't give them the break they needed."
The Cheesemakers play at Sauk Prairie on Friday. Sauk Prairie (6-1) is ranked fifth in the Division 2 Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association state poll. The Cheesemakers then have a big week next week with games at Badger South rival Oregon and against Madison Edgewood at the Reddan Soccer Park in Verona before a Lake Geneva tournament.
"We just have to prepare ourselves," Teasdale said. "We have been an underdog team. Even if we are down, we know we can come back and win like we did against Monona Grove."
Milton (6-2-3, 1-2 Badger South) dominated the second half, exploding for four goals to propel the Red Hawks past the Cheesemakers Tuesday, Sept. 17 at Honey Creek Park. It was a blow to Monroe (5-4-1, 2-1 Badger South) because the Cheesemakers have averaged 4.5 goals per game during the winning streak. The Cheesemakers had just six shots on goal and the Red hawks had more than twice as many shots on goal.
"We knew coming in that we wouldn't have as many opportunities," Monroe coach Tony Vasquez said. "We have to get them to play 80 minutes. Today we played one half. That won't do it against good teams like Milton."
Milton sophomore Jake Schmit lofted a goal just past the outstretched arms of Monroe junior goalkeeper Austin Murphy. The goal was assisted by Kevin Schuh who made a pass on a corner kick to set up the goal. Milton sophomore C.J. Curtis scored a goal at 49:48 on a cross by Schuh to give the Red hawks a 2-0 lead.
"It seemed like after that first goal it took the wind out of our sails," Vasquez said. "After that second goal, they just kind of gave up."
Another area the Cheesemakers have thrived is off corner kicks and throw-ins.
"A big part of our game is corner kicks and deep throw-ins," Vasquez said. "We didn't have one of those until the second half."
Monroe senior captain Taylor Teasdale wasn't happy with the team's performance.
"They were fast to the ball and we were slower," Teasdale said. "We let our guard down. We were just chasing the ball in the second half. After they scored that second goal we kind of gave up."
Teasdale received a yellow card in the second half for what officials ruled was a reckless penalty when a Milton player tripped over him.
Milton sophomore Matt Sheehan scored a goal from about 15 yards out to give the Red Hawks an insurmountable 3-0 lead at 59:24. Milton's Sean Grote capped the scoring with a penalty kick goal at 77:39. Murphy had six saves for the Cheesemakers.
"Our depth hurt us in the second half," Vasquez said. "Our guys wanted a breather and we couldn't give them the break they needed."
The Cheesemakers play at Sauk Prairie on Friday. Sauk Prairie (6-1) is ranked fifth in the Division 2 Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association state poll. The Cheesemakers then have a big week next week with games at Badger South rival Oregon and against Madison Edgewood at the Reddan Soccer Park in Verona before a Lake Geneva tournament.
"We just have to prepare ourselves," Teasdale said. "We have been an underdog team. Even if we are down, we know we can come back and win like we did against Monona Grove."
