MONROE - The Monroe boys soccer team got a break in Tuesday's 3-0 Badger South Conference loss to Edgewood, but not the kind it wanted.
Junior forward Michael Gross broke his leg in the second half on a play where he was working to make a play before colliding with the Crusaders' goal keeper.
"He (Gross) was trying to get something to happen," Monroe coach Tony Stamm said. "He was a big part of the team and a key point. I know everyone is concerned about him."
With the loss the Cheesemakers drop to 3-4 overall and 0-1 in the Badger South.
Stamm said not only will the Cheesemakers miss Gross as a player, the team will miss his spirit.
"We may have to change our style of play without him," he said.
The Crusaders jumped out to a 1-0 lead after executing a corner kick to perfection. Madison Edgewood senior midfielder Derek Braucht scored a header goal off a corner kick by Luke Salzwedel at 7 minutes, 22 seconds. Salzwedel had three assists to lead the Crusaders.
Monroe senior goal keeper Dan Becker, who had 13 saves, kept the Cheesemakers within striking distance with two diving saves late in the first half.
"It's really important that he (Becker) keeps playing really strong," Stamm said. "I think he is improving as we are going. He is getting stronger and stronger."
Stamm said trailing 1-0 at half, the Cheesemakers felt like they were in a good position to tie the game.
Edgewood senior Jamison Schleicher scored a goal on Salzwedel's second assist at 42:20 to give the Crusaders a 2-0 lead.
Edgewood junior Stephen Gilbert capped the scoring with a goal at 76:51.
The Cheesemakers travel to Fort Atkinson for a 7 p.m. Thursday.
Junior forward Michael Gross broke his leg in the second half on a play where he was working to make a play before colliding with the Crusaders' goal keeper.
"He (Gross) was trying to get something to happen," Monroe coach Tony Stamm said. "He was a big part of the team and a key point. I know everyone is concerned about him."
With the loss the Cheesemakers drop to 3-4 overall and 0-1 in the Badger South.
Stamm said not only will the Cheesemakers miss Gross as a player, the team will miss his spirit.
"We may have to change our style of play without him," he said.
The Crusaders jumped out to a 1-0 lead after executing a corner kick to perfection. Madison Edgewood senior midfielder Derek Braucht scored a header goal off a corner kick by Luke Salzwedel at 7 minutes, 22 seconds. Salzwedel had three assists to lead the Crusaders.
Monroe senior goal keeper Dan Becker, who had 13 saves, kept the Cheesemakers within striking distance with two diving saves late in the first half.
"It's really important that he (Becker) keeps playing really strong," Stamm said. "I think he is improving as we are going. He is getting stronger and stronger."
Stamm said trailing 1-0 at half, the Cheesemakers felt like they were in a good position to tie the game.
Edgewood senior Jamison Schleicher scored a goal on Salzwedel's second assist at 42:20 to give the Crusaders a 2-0 lead.
Edgewood junior Stephen Gilbert capped the scoring with a goal at 76:51.
The Cheesemakers travel to Fort Atkinson for a 7 p.m. Thursday.
