Eagles land four on first team of Badger North Conference all-conference soccer team, equal Waunakee with two unanimous selections

Eagle file photo

Sauk Prairie midfielder Garret Schwarz (right) was named to the first-team of the All-Badger North Conference soccer team and midfielder Nathan Einhorn (left) earned honorable-mention honors for the Eagles.

By Dan Larson / Sauk Prairie Eagle

Midfielder Garrett Schwarz scored 19 goals — third most on the Sauk Prairie prep boys' soccer team — and collected a team-leading 19 assists this season.

Defender Stewart Virta was routinely heralded by Eagles head coach Mike Rauls as the leader of a defense that allowed just 0.92 goals-per-game and pitched 12 shutouts.

And together, the seniors were unanimously selected to the first team of the Badger North Conference's all-conference team, which was released by the conference Nov. 11.

"Garrett had a tremendous season, but above that, he had a tremendous career," Eagles head coach Mike Rauls said of Schwarz, who was also a unanimous first-team selection a year ago. "He's been playing at a high level for a long time."

Rauls indicated Virta, who was a second-team selection last year, earned the honor in large part for his ability to quarterback the defense.
"His leadership back there was tremendous," Rauls said.

Garet Sagami (forward), who was second on the team with 22 goals, and Mike Grunewald (goalie), who averaged 5.7 saves-per-game, were also selected to the first team, which was dominated by Waunakee and Sauk Prairie — the two teams finished first and second in the conference, respectively — with four players each.

"The teams that have the best records in the conference, its because they have some of the best players," Eagles head coach Mike Rauls said in a phone interview Nov. 13. "Having four along with Waunakee, (it shows) that we were right there."

Tyler Fuchs (forward) — who led the team with 25 goals, Connor Starr (midfielder) — who routinely transitioned from defense to midfield, depending on the circumstances of the game — and Tony Winscher (defender) were all tabbed to the second team, and Nathan Einhorn (midfielder) and Brett Lauer (defender) both earned honorable-mention honors.

Sauk Prairie finished the conference season with a 5-1 record — its only loss to Waunakee on Sept. 30 — and went 19-5-1 overall. Its season ended Oct. 25 with a 2-1 regional final loss to Verona.

The Eagles also handed out team awards at their team banquet, which was held Nov. 9 at the high school.

With little surprise, Schwarz was voted the Most Valuable Player by his teammates. Senior defenseman Brett Lauer received the other award voted on by the players — Most Improved Player — and senior Bronson Endres received the Coach's Award for his contribution to the team this season despite not being able to play due to a torn ACL, which he suffered in the offseason.

FIRST TEAM

* indicates unanimous selection

SECOND TEAM

HONORABLE MENTION