Late deluge sends RLO soccer past Rockets

It was youth night for the Random Lake/Ozaukee High School boys’ soccer team on Sept. 29, and the youngsters got to see how to close out a game in a 7-1 win.

A goal in the 72nd minute finally got Cedar Grove-Belgium on the board, cutting the Rockets’ deficit to two.

But RLO responded, putting the game away with four goals by four different players in the final eight minutes.

Jaxon Klas scored unassisted and Silas Abler scored on an assist from Jackson Mayer. Jayce Yang scored his second unassisted goal of the game, and Mayer got an assist from Klas to close the scoring.

RLO took a 2-0 lead into halftime. Joey Pierce scored on an assist from Mayer, and Johanni Altamirano-Diaz scored unassisted.

“RLO came out really fast in this game, putting a lot of pressure on Cedar Grove’s half of the field. They did a nice job of not trying to force anything and moved the ball around very well, looking for openings to attack,” RLO coach Matt Wilson said.

“Max Klaus and Jacob Kopiness really controlled the center of the field, and RLO’s ability to hold possession started with them. Jackson Mayer and Jaxon Klas both had big nights, also pushing the ball down the sideline and creating a lot of good looks and scoring opportunities.”

Yang made it 3-0 in the second half before the Rockets’ Adrian Perez, despite playing with a sprained ankle, crossed a corner kick into the goal.

“Kudos to their program for bringing in so many players this year,” Cedar Grove-Belgium coach John Krechel said.

“Our continued injuries and limited subs left us vulnerable.”

Wilson praised his defense.

“The backline of Brady Ahrens, Beau Langlois, Austin Hoffmann and rotation of Chris Castro and Tanner Russell did a nice job of attacking the ball and keeping most of Cedar Grove’s threats to the outside and not in front of our goal,” he said. “It was also nice to hear Tyrus Simon directing traffic and helping out the backline during the match. He has greatly improved with using his voice this season on the field, and it has helped a lot.”

RLO, 1-6-1 in the Big East Conference and 6-7-1 overall, hosts Roncalli on Thursday, Oct. 8, and plays at Stockbridge on Monday, Oct. 12.

The Rockets last Friday lost to Heritage Christian, 5-0. They trailed, 1-0, at halftime.

“We had to put Erick Batista Garcia in as goalie because of too many injuries, but that meant Myles Posthuma (typically our goalie) was able to play center mid with his older brother, Griffin. They played very well together, but our plague of injuries continued to keep us out of the contest,” Krechel said.

The Rockets, 1-7 in the Big East and 3-10 overall, play at Oostburg on Oct. 8 and host Kewaunee on Oct. 13.

Pirates gets back on track

Leading scorer Scotty Bennett and defender Grayson Allen returned from injuries for Port Washington, and they made the difference in a 3-1 win over West Bend East on Sept. 29. Bennett scored twice and Allen once. Kalin Mundt and Aiden McLaughlin each had an assist.

Port lost to Glacier Trails Conference leader Kettle Moraine Lutheran, 2-0, on Monday.

Port, 4-4-1 in the GTC and 6-4-2 overall, hosts Plymouth on Thursday, Oct. 8, and plays at Kewaskum on Tuesday, Oct. 13.

Grafton still isn’t scoring

Grafton forged its first tie of the season on Sept. 30 at New Berlin West. Neither team scored.

Coach James Johnson said Julian Terrill “did a nice job in our midfield of trying to move the ball around the field and create opportunities for his teammates. Our defense has also played very well overall and has been anchored by our two center backs, Sam Ruff and Zach Kelley.”

Grafton 0-4 in the North Shore Conference and 1-8-1 overall, plays at Kewaskum on Oct. 8 and hosts Living Word Lutheran on Oct. 9, Luxemburg-Casco on Oct. 10 and Cedarburg on Oct. 13.