MONROE - For Monroe sophomore Ryne Miller, being named after Chicago Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg has led to a flair for the dramatic, just like the legendary second baseman.
Miller scored a penalty kick goal after a hand ball at 72 minutes, 39 seconds to help propel the Cheesemakers to a 2-0 win over Monona Grove Tuesday at Honey Creek Park.
"Some people call me Ryan and some call me Ryne," he said. "Either one is O.K. I was named after Ryne Sandberg."
Every player on the Silver Eagles will know his name after he scored one goal and had one assist to help the Cheesemakers snap a five-game losing streak. He enjoyed having the opportunity to pull through for the Cheesemakers similar to a goal he scored against Dodgeville earlier this year.
"Before I take it, I always pick a side no matter where the goalie is at," Miller said of the penalty kick. "I knew if we scored there we would ice them out of the game. That was huge. If we don't convert on that penalty kick, they would have definitely had some momentum. It was great to break the losing streak."
Early on, Monroe (4-7, 1-1 Badger South) was in the driver's seat dominating the game. Monroe senior Kevin Noriega scored a goal on an assist from Miller at 10:28 to give the Cheesemakers a 1-0 lead.
"I told them at halftime that one goal wasn't going to be enough," Monroe coach Tony Vasquez said. "We had to win the second half. We were able to keep fighting and last the whole 90 minutes."
Vasquez had the Cheesemakers play a 4-3-3, which required bringing up a midfielder to play at a forward spot. He made the switch from the traditional 4-4-2 alignment with a goal in mind.
"We have been struggling to score," Vasquez said. "We have been shut-out in two straight games. We wanted to get more guys attacking."
The Cheesemakers had four shots on goal in the first 3 minutes of the second half. Miller had a shot on a direct kick that just went wide right of the post in the 46th minute. Miller and Noriega each had shots off the goalkeeper's hands.
The Cheesemakers got a break when the Silver Eagles were called for a hand ball in the 73rd minute. That set the stage for Miller's heroic goal that gave the Cheesemakers the cushion they needed.
Monroe senior Austin Murphy had a game-high 11 saves.
"He played another great game," Vasquez said. "It's our offense that needed to help out our defense. We had to get some goals to get a little lead."
It won't get any easier for the Cheesemakers. Monroe will have seven days to prepare for a Badger South Conference game at Milton, and a game against defending Division 2 state champion Oregon at 5 p.m. Sept. 25 at Honey Creek Park.
"Whenever we play them (Oregon), we know we have to play our best," Vasquez said.
Miller scored a penalty kick goal after a hand ball at 72 minutes, 39 seconds to help propel the Cheesemakers to a 2-0 win over Monona Grove Tuesday at Honey Creek Park.
"Some people call me Ryan and some call me Ryne," he said. "Either one is O.K. I was named after Ryne Sandberg."
Every player on the Silver Eagles will know his name after he scored one goal and had one assist to help the Cheesemakers snap a five-game losing streak. He enjoyed having the opportunity to pull through for the Cheesemakers similar to a goal he scored against Dodgeville earlier this year.
"Before I take it, I always pick a side no matter where the goalie is at," Miller said of the penalty kick. "I knew if we scored there we would ice them out of the game. That was huge. If we don't convert on that penalty kick, they would have definitely had some momentum. It was great to break the losing streak."
Early on, Monroe (4-7, 1-1 Badger South) was in the driver's seat dominating the game. Monroe senior Kevin Noriega scored a goal on an assist from Miller at 10:28 to give the Cheesemakers a 1-0 lead.
"I told them at halftime that one goal wasn't going to be enough," Monroe coach Tony Vasquez said. "We had to win the second half. We were able to keep fighting and last the whole 90 minutes."
Vasquez had the Cheesemakers play a 4-3-3, which required bringing up a midfielder to play at a forward spot. He made the switch from the traditional 4-4-2 alignment with a goal in mind.
"We have been struggling to score," Vasquez said. "We have been shut-out in two straight games. We wanted to get more guys attacking."
The Cheesemakers had four shots on goal in the first 3 minutes of the second half. Miller had a shot on a direct kick that just went wide right of the post in the 46th minute. Miller and Noriega each had shots off the goalkeeper's hands.
The Cheesemakers got a break when the Silver Eagles were called for a hand ball in the 73rd minute. That set the stage for Miller's heroic goal that gave the Cheesemakers the cushion they needed.
Monroe senior Austin Murphy had a game-high 11 saves.
"He played another great game," Vasquez said. "It's our offense that needed to help out our defense. We had to get some goals to get a little lead."
It won't get any easier for the Cheesemakers. Monroe will have seven days to prepare for a Badger South Conference game at Milton, and a game against defending Division 2 state champion Oregon at 5 p.m. Sept. 25 at Honey Creek Park.
"Whenever we play them (Oregon), we know we have to play our best," Vasquez said.
