Milton edges Craig in soccer
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JANESVILLE — An own goal helped Milton High get past Janesville Craig, 3-2, in a nonconference soccer game Thursday night at Craig.
An attempt to clear a ball in front of the Craig goal by a Cougar defender found the net, giving the visiting Red Hawks a 3-1 lead five minutes into the second half. That margin came in handy when Craig’s Tanner Harrie scored with just eight minutes left in the game.
“It was pretty much an even match,” said Craig coach Dave Adler. “We tried to match up against (Adam) Lysak and thought we did a pretty good job of it.”
Milton coach Ryan Wagner said his team had its moments, but it wasn’t a great game.
“I though it was average game for us,” Wagner said. “At times, we played really well, but then we went on cruise control and let them get back into the game. Craig played well, but the majority of goals were kind of cheesy, to tell you the truth.”
Lysak, the Red Hawks’ top scoring threat, did slip into the front of the goal and sent home Milton’s first goal just 11 minutes into the game.
The Cougars (3-11-2) tied it on Moe McCrone’s goal just eight minutes before halftime. The goal came off a throw-in that William Montejano headed to McCrone.
The Red Hawks (9-9) managed to grab the halftime lead with a goal just a little more than three minutes later.
Milton’s Charlie Wendelschafer sent in a shot that was partially deflected, with Craig keeper Max Niedermeier moving to his right. The deflection got the ball just past Niedermeier as he adjusted back to his left.
“It was just an unlucky deflection,” Adler said.
Milton took its two-goal advantage on the own goal.
“That was a heartbreaker,” Adler said. “It was a cross ball, and the kid tried to knock it away and it just went straight back. The poor kid felt really bad.”
Harrie’s goal off an assist from Tyler O’Rourke concluded the scoring.
“We battled, battled and battled,” said Adler. “We’ve lost several games, but this loss we actually feel good about. One of these games we’ll get the last-minute goal or deflection.
“Milton played well, but we had our opportunities. We may see them in the tournament.”
Red Hawk coach Ryan Wagner also was thinking about the tournament.
“It wasn’t a must-win for us, but it was important,” Wagner said. “We’re both in same sectional so it was good for seedings.”
The Cougars play at Kettle Moraine in another nonconference game at 9:30 a.m. Saturday.
MILTON 3, CRAIG 2
Milton 2 1—3
Janesville Craig 1 1—2
First Half
M—Adam Lysak (Eddie Berlanga), 11:08. JC—Moe McCrone (William Montejano, Tyler O’Rourke), 32:08. M—Charlie Wendelschafer (unassisted), 35:43.
Second Half
M—own goal, 45:10. JC—Tanner Harrie (O’Rourke), 72:05.
Saves—Nick Hallett (M) 5, Max Niedermeier (JC) 5.
Oct 10, 2008 at 9:58 p.m.
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Nothing is "cheesier" than winning on an own goal, coach. But winning with humility is definitely not cheesy.
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