MONROE - Monona Grove senior Savanah Cruz scored three goals to lead the Silver Eagles to a comeback 4-1 win over the Monroe High School girls soccer team on Tuesday at Honey Creek Park.
"She (Cruz) is probably one of the strongest players I have seen this year as far as speed and strength," Monroe assistant coach Curt Zastrow said.
Zastrow coached the Cheesemakers during the game in place of head coach Miriam O'Neill, who missed the game due to illness.
Monroe sophomore Morgan Seffrood scored a goal on an assist from senior Maddie Kallgren to give the Cheesemakers a short-lived 1-0 lead in the first minute of the game.
"We knew Monona Grove was a good team," Zastrow said. "Even if we would have scored three goals we knew they could come back."
Monona Grove's Gabi Arnold scored the game-tying goal on a pass from Cruz at 6 minutes, 20 seconds.
The Silver Eagles outshot the Cheesemakers 26-12.
Monroe drops to 8-4-3 overall and 0-2-2 Badger South.
"We definitely need to get more scoring opportunities," Zastrow said. "A lot of it is the quality of the opportunities. A lot of the shots we did get were good opportunities. We just didn't capitalize."
Monroe freshman goalie Anna Latimer had a game-high 22 saves.
Cruz scored her first goal at 16:26 to give the Silver Eagles a 2-1 lead. Cruz then added her second goal in the 60th minute to extend the Silver Eagles' lead to 3-1.
Cruz sealed the win with her third goal at 66:54 on an assist from Liz Pulvermacher.
The Cheesemakers have had strong starts against both Oregon and Monona Grove in conference games. Finding a way to carry the momentum into the second half with a short bench due to a couple of injuries is a challenge.
"We have to win more 50-50 balls from goal kicks and punts," Zastrow said.
"She (Cruz) is probably one of the strongest players I have seen this year as far as speed and strength," Monroe assistant coach Curt Zastrow said.
Zastrow coached the Cheesemakers during the game in place of head coach Miriam O'Neill, who missed the game due to illness.
Monroe sophomore Morgan Seffrood scored a goal on an assist from senior Maddie Kallgren to give the Cheesemakers a short-lived 1-0 lead in the first minute of the game.
"We knew Monona Grove was a good team," Zastrow said. "Even if we would have scored three goals we knew they could come back."
Monona Grove's Gabi Arnold scored the game-tying goal on a pass from Cruz at 6 minutes, 20 seconds.
The Silver Eagles outshot the Cheesemakers 26-12.
Monroe drops to 8-4-3 overall and 0-2-2 Badger South.
"We definitely need to get more scoring opportunities," Zastrow said. "A lot of it is the quality of the opportunities. A lot of the shots we did get were good opportunities. We just didn't capitalize."
Monroe freshman goalie Anna Latimer had a game-high 22 saves.
Cruz scored her first goal at 16:26 to give the Silver Eagles a 2-1 lead. Cruz then added her second goal in the 60th minute to extend the Silver Eagles' lead to 3-1.
Cruz sealed the win with her third goal at 66:54 on an assist from Liz Pulvermacher.
The Cheesemakers have had strong starts against both Oregon and Monona Grove in conference games. Finding a way to carry the momentum into the second half with a short bench due to a couple of injuries is a challenge.
"We have to win more 50-50 balls from goal kicks and punts," Zastrow said.
