Soccer finishes tough week

By Todd Krysiak/Sauk Prairie Eagle

The Eagles soccer team ended a tough week filled with close games and difficult foes by dropping two games at the Badger Conference Challenge in Waunakee on May 10.

McFarland 2, Sauk Prairie 0

The fast-paced McFarland Spartans played aggressively throughout the game and came away with a 2-0 win over the Eagles.

The Spartans (7-2-3) are ranked fifth in Division 2 and sit atop the Southern Badger Conference.

"They're playing good soccer right now," Eagles coach Greg Frosch said. "It was a good opportunity for us to play a tough team and prepare for regionals."

The Spartans scored two goals in the first half and never looked back. After defeating Sauk Prairie, they went on to tie undefeated Waunakee 1-1.

"They were having a really good day," Frosch said.

Verona 3, Sauk Prairie 2

Sauk Prairie got on the board first when Renee Weeks scored a goal, but Verona was able to answer 19 minutes later.

The Eagles again took the lead early in the second half on an Elaine Gerry goal and again Verona was able to answer and tie it up.

"We scored first and were doing really well," Frosch said. "Toward the end, we couldn't transition well and we spent a lot of time in the second half in our end."

Toward the end of the second period, Verona (9-4-3, 4-1-0 Southern Badger) was able to kick in the game-winner.

"We really started breaking down without much offense there toward the end," Frosch said.

Monroe 3, Sauk Prairie 2

The Eagles came out a little flat against Monroe on May 6 after a 6-0 loss to Waunakee the previous evening in a game that featured two undefeated teams.

The loss to Waunakee (16-0, 5-0 Badger North) effectively ended the Eagles' hopes to win the conference title. Frosch said the loss likely played a role in the team's May 6 defeat at the hands of Monroe.

"Monroe played a dog-gone good game," Frosh said. "We didn't play up to the level we're used to."

In addition to battling the mental letdown of the loss, Eagle players also fought gusty winds throughout the game.

"They scored the first two goals in the first half playing with the wind," Frosch said. "In the second half, with the wind we tied it up."

Just before regulation time expired in the game, Verona was able to kick in a game-winning goal.