Posted: 9/26/07
CHS girls push soccer record to 9-1
 Kayla McCormick (8) attempts moving the ball toward the Winhawk goal on Sept. 18. Whitney Frank (3) looks on from her field position. Photo by Reed Welch. |
By Tom Murphy
Special to the Caledonia Argus
After a grueling five games in five days, the Caledonia High School girls soccer team announced it will be a major contender in Section 1 this year. "I donít know if the girls realize they have nine wins," a satisfied coach Sue Link said last week. Link agreed her team has established an identity and she says the team has the talent to reach the state tournament, "Weíre in the running," she believes.
Among the victories were wins over Kasson-Mantorville and Byron. When those scores are compared in head-to-head matchups with La Crescent and Rochester Lourdes, the Warriors did very well.
"This team has a combination of experience and youth. We have players on this team who have been to the dome for the state tournament. Those players need to share their experiences with the younger players and they need to tell the younger players that the goal is within reach. We have the talent and I like the way this team does not make excuses," Link said.
Down Dover-Eyota
It was a road game on Friday, September 14, and the Warriors won 2-0. Sarah Colleran and Kayla McCormick had all the scoring that was needed. Their goals came seven minutes apart in the first half. Theresa Ellenz was credited with an assist.
The Warriors had 23 shots on goal to D-Eís 10. Arie Albert was in the goal for the Warriors. "Their field was hard as concrete and it was very windy," Link recalled. "I thought we played flat in that game."
Pound Mankato Loyola;
shut out K-M
The next day, the Warriors hosted a four team tournament. It would be a good day. In the first game, the Warriors pounded Mankato Loyola, 7-1. Caledonia had a gigantic edge of 36-4 shots on goal.
Megan Schmitz and Sarah Colleran led the scoring with two goals each. "Megan is playing great soccer this year," Link said. She also played a role in Theresa Ellenzís goal with a timely assist. "That play was textbook in its execution," Link remarked.
Also gaining goals were Bobbi Jo Schuttemeier and Rachel Strub. Link said she was happy with the distribution of the scoring among different players
In the second game, the Warriors played Kasson-Mantorville and shut the Komets out 6-0. Link predicted going into the game the Komets would likely be the strongest opponent this year among the visiting teams.
The Warriors not only limited K-M to just three shots on goal, but Arie Albert had the shutout. "That was a huge win for us, especially when you compare the margin against how they did against Rochester Lourdes." Lourdes won 1-0. The Komets lost to La Crescent 2-0.
It was the best game of Schuttemeierís young career as she recorded a ëhat trickí with three goals. The Warriors have quickly become an offensive team as Colleran had recorded the teamís first hat trick earlier in the year when she scored five of the teamís six goals.
"Her speed sets her apart," Link said of Schuttemeier. "Bobbi Jo had some great breakaways. She can beat the defense and she has good shot placement.
Colleran had two goals and senior Sara Kasten had a goal. Five of the goals came in the first half. For the game, the Warriors had a shooting blitz with 22 shots on goal.
Win rugged test at Byron
The Warriors capped off the five game run with another victory. This time, it was a hard fought 1-0 win. "It was a physical game," Link said.
Colleran came through in this big game with the only score of the contest in the first half on a breakaway.
Link lauded the play of Kelsey Konkel who was brought up to the varsity from the JV squad. "She played like a veteran player," Link said. "She has determination and is quick to the ball," Link said.
There was a slight shooting edge with Caledonia taking 17 shots while Byron had 13 shots.
But it was the defense that Link cited. "It was nice to have Ally Sheehan back from injury. Erica Myhre, Brittney Wagner, and Mary Ellen Schiltz collaborated in their defensive efforts," Link said. "Their defensive play saved us," Link said. Albert was again stellar in the goal.
Game suspended
The game with Winona Senior High was called because of weather with nine minutes left in the half. The Warriors were ahead 1-0 and had a definite edge in shooting 14-6. "Unfortunately, it does not appear we will be able to re-schedule because of conflicts," Link said.Ý
Link did not seem to have any doubt about the outcome of the game although she said her team was feeling the effects of schedule. It was the sixth game in six days. "We were feeling it by the time we played Winona."
We have spent this week with recovery practice after the run of games.
Head-to-head
Comparing scores against comparable opponents is an important predictor of seeding in the section. Once again, the win over Byron was important to the Warriors.
Byron beat Lourdes twice, 2-1 and 2-0. Byron still has to play Kasson-Mantorville and La Crescent.
The Warriors would not play again until Monday, September 24, when Rochester Lourdes played here. Link forecasted a victory over Lourdes, "if weí markí their players. We need to identify where our opponents are on the field."
As far as practice was concerned, Link said her team "needs to be more of a threat on corner kicks." Continuing her optimism, Link said her team "can do it when it wants to."
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