MOUNT HOREB - There was no secret who Mount Horeb's go-to soccer scorer was leading up to the WIAA Division 2 regional semifinal against Monroe Thursday.
Monroe couldn't bottle up Mount Horeb sophomore forward Kelly Sullivan who scored three goals to propel the Vikings to a 3-1 win over the Cheesemakers.
"It's her team that made her stand out," Monroe senior Alyssa Studer said of Sullivan. "She obviously finishes. They get her the passes and work it up the field for her. When she is open, they get it to her at her feet really well. It's often forgotten in soccer."
The Cheesemakers (11-9) didn't forget what kind of scoring threat Sullivan can be. She scored two goals when the Vikings defeated the Cheesemakers 4-1 earlier this year. Monroe couldn't clamp down on Sullivan in the postseason rematch.
Sullivan scored her first goal at 17 minutes, 55 seconds on a pass from Julia Rollins. She scored her second goal at 30:36 on an assist from Julie Boyden to give the Vikings a 2-0 lead.
"We knew she was extremely fast," Monroe coach Miriam O'Neill said of Sullivan. "Speed was an issue and has been an issue all season. Mount Horeb is a good and solid team. They have 11 solid players on the field at all times."
Sullivan scored her final goal at 41:12 on a cross by Megan Lemire to give the Vikings a 3-0 lead. O'Neill countered by switching Studer from midfield to the sweeper position.
"I knew Chrissy Marti was having problems with her legs," O'Neill said. "I felt like Alyssa was the only one who could do the job."
The Cheesemakers rallied and got on the board when sophomore Chelsea Haffele scored a header goal off at 56:35.
"We are better than them," Haffele said. "We knew we could get at least one past them. It's been a long time since I have scored so I wanted to score. We were doing a lot better talking a lot more. We talked that you work so hard to get the ball that you have to pass it more at their feet."
That was a turning point for the Cheesemakers in a second-half rally.
"We put them under some pressure," O'Neill said. "Getting that goal lifted everyone's spirits. Now they felt like we were back in the game."
The Cheesemakers had a golden scoring opportunity after the Vikings were called for a hand ball. Studer came within inches of pulling the Cheesemakers within a goal with 20 minutes to go. Studer's penalty kick glanced off of Mount Horeb keeper Hannah Sutter who made a diving save attempt. The Cheesemakers had three more scoring opportunities including one off the cross bar, but the Vikings dodged each bullet.
O'Neill was excited with Thurik's play in the second half.
"I have to give some credit to Nicole Thurik," O'Neill said. "She came in and really put a spark into the team."
It was the last prep soccer game for Studer and the Cheesemakers' other six seniors. Senior goalkeeper Gail LaVoie had a game-high 13 saves.
"It was just a great team to play on," Studer said. "There wasn't any drama. It's the nicest team I have played on. Even when we got down a couple goals everyone was smiling. They had a great attitude."
The Cheesemakers will return 13 players next year.
"At this time of year, it's make or break," O'Neill said. "You have tired legs and injuries. It's really hard when you have small numbers. For our soccer program, we have to go out have fun and enjoy the game. If we don't win, we have to get better as a team and enjoy the game."
Monroe couldn't bottle up Mount Horeb sophomore forward Kelly Sullivan who scored three goals to propel the Vikings to a 3-1 win over the Cheesemakers.
"It's her team that made her stand out," Monroe senior Alyssa Studer said of Sullivan. "She obviously finishes. They get her the passes and work it up the field for her. When she is open, they get it to her at her feet really well. It's often forgotten in soccer."
The Cheesemakers (11-9) didn't forget what kind of scoring threat Sullivan can be. She scored two goals when the Vikings defeated the Cheesemakers 4-1 earlier this year. Monroe couldn't clamp down on Sullivan in the postseason rematch.
Sullivan scored her first goal at 17 minutes, 55 seconds on a pass from Julia Rollins. She scored her second goal at 30:36 on an assist from Julie Boyden to give the Vikings a 2-0 lead.
"We knew she was extremely fast," Monroe coach Miriam O'Neill said of Sullivan. "Speed was an issue and has been an issue all season. Mount Horeb is a good and solid team. They have 11 solid players on the field at all times."
Sullivan scored her final goal at 41:12 on a cross by Megan Lemire to give the Vikings a 3-0 lead. O'Neill countered by switching Studer from midfield to the sweeper position.
"I knew Chrissy Marti was having problems with her legs," O'Neill said. "I felt like Alyssa was the only one who could do the job."
The Cheesemakers rallied and got on the board when sophomore Chelsea Haffele scored a header goal off at 56:35.
"We are better than them," Haffele said. "We knew we could get at least one past them. It's been a long time since I have scored so I wanted to score. We were doing a lot better talking a lot more. We talked that you work so hard to get the ball that you have to pass it more at their feet."
That was a turning point for the Cheesemakers in a second-half rally.
"We put them under some pressure," O'Neill said. "Getting that goal lifted everyone's spirits. Now they felt like we were back in the game."
The Cheesemakers had a golden scoring opportunity after the Vikings were called for a hand ball. Studer came within inches of pulling the Cheesemakers within a goal with 20 minutes to go. Studer's penalty kick glanced off of Mount Horeb keeper Hannah Sutter who made a diving save attempt. The Cheesemakers had three more scoring opportunities including one off the cross bar, but the Vikings dodged each bullet.
O'Neill was excited with Thurik's play in the second half.
"I have to give some credit to Nicole Thurik," O'Neill said. "She came in and really put a spark into the team."
It was the last prep soccer game for Studer and the Cheesemakers' other six seniors. Senior goalkeeper Gail LaVoie had a game-high 13 saves.
"It was just a great team to play on," Studer said. "There wasn't any drama. It's the nicest team I have played on. Even when we got down a couple goals everyone was smiling. They had a great attitude."
The Cheesemakers will return 13 players next year.
"At this time of year, it's make or break," O'Neill said. "You have tired legs and injuries. It's really hard when you have small numbers. For our soccer program, we have to go out have fun and enjoy the game. If we don't win, we have to get better as a team and enjoy the game."
