Injuries hindering the Pirates’ potent offense on the pitch

The Port Washington High School boys’ soccer team lost leading scorer Scotty Bennett and leading defender Grayson Allen to injuries last week, and in turn lost both of its games.

Host Sheboygan South beat Port, 2-0, on Sept. 22. Bennett, who has 11 goals this season, injured his ankle and tried to play through it but had to come out, coach Mark Burmesch said. Allen injured his knee and had to leave.

Neither was back for Port’s second conference game of the week at West Bend West last Thursday, but Burmesch had a plan.

“Not having Grayson and Scotty on the field, we just went to a mid-block and tried to see if we could keep them to zeroes as long as we could and maybe nip one on the counter,” Burmesch said.

The plan worked for three-fourths of the game. In the 61st minute, the Spartans scored after a corner kick bounced around and made it past keeper Landon Lindner.

“The defense played well. The plan worked great. They did a terrific job,” Burmesch said.

“It all comes back to set-piece defense. You’ve gotta find the fight in the box”.

West, armed with momentum, added goals in the 64th, 70th and 76th minutes and won, 4-0.

Burmesch praised Lindner for keeping the game scoreless for 60 minutes.

“Landon had a massive game, came up big. He was fearless on one-on-ones multiple times,” Burmesch said.

He also credited Aidan McLaughlin for his work at center back.

“He was a beast today. He stepped up big time,” he said.

Port, 3-3-1 in the Glacier Trails Conference and 5-3-2 overall, was to host West Bend East on Tuesday, Sept. 29. The Pirates host league leader and undefeated Kettle Moraine Lutheran on Thursday, Oct. 1.

Rockets split a pair

Cedar Grove-Belgium lost, 9-1, at highly ranked Kohler, 9-1, on Sept. 22, before bouncing back to beat Salam, 6-1, last Thursday.

“They are an outstanding team this year. We were plagued with some injuries but credit to them. They will be dangerous in the postseason,” coach John Krechel said of Kohler.

Against Salam, freshman Levi Heinen netted three goals. Dominic Tessar scored on a corner kick, and Colton Eischen and Armando Castellon each scored.

Eischen, Castellon and Karl Engevold each had an assist.

It was 3-1 at halftime. The Rockets stepped it up in the second half, Krechel said.

“It as a great overall team victory. Myles Posthuma continues to show significant growth and confidence as the team’s goalie,” he said.

“A spectacular performance by Levi Heinen, scoring a hat trick. Other notables on homecoming night were Parker Held, who played an outstanding game, Ethan Brandt and Karl Engevold. All three seniors played their hearts out for their final homecoming game of their high school career.”

The Rockets, 1-6 in the Big East/Eastern Wisconsin Conference and 3-8 overall, were to play at Random Lake/Ozaukee on Tuesday, Sept. 29. They host Heritage Christian on Friday, Oct. 2, and Sheboygan Christian/Lutheran on Tuesday, Oct. 6.

Coach not amused with team’s passing

Random Lake/Ozaukee lost at highly ranked Oostburg, 4-0, on Sept. 22, and tied St. Mary Catholic at zero at home last Thursday.

Oostburg scored twice in each half.

RLO keeper Tyrus Simon had nine saves. The team was without leading scorer Jaxon Klas, who was ill.

“I think this game really shines a light on the strides these boys have made to their growth as soccer players,” coach Matt Wilson said.

The Flying Dutchmen’s third goal slipped through Simon’s hands. A 3-0 score, Wilson said, would have been an improvement over past contests ended via the mercy rule.

Wilson said RLO let one get away against St. Mary Catholic.

“The RLO boys ball control was so far off that you would have swore somebody greased the ball before the game. We also connected more passes to SMC than we did to our own players,” he said. “Honestly, with the number of times we put the ball right in front of our own goal, I’m surprised we even tied this game.”

Simon had 15 saves.

RLO, 0-6-1 in the conference and 5-7-1 overall, plays at New Holstein/Brillion on Tuesday, Oct. 6, after the Sept. 29 game against Cedar Grove-Belgium.

Grafton still in search of some offense

Grafton lost to Nicolet, 2-0, last Thursday.

The Black Hawks have scored five goals this season — four in a win over Plymouth and on a deflection off a Port Washington player in a 3-1 loss.

The Hawks lost, 1-0, at University School of Milwaukee on Monday.

Grafton, 0-4 in the North Shore Conference and 1-8 overall, plays at Slinger on Tuesday, Oct. 6, hosts Living Word Lutheran on Friday, Oct. 9, and Luxemburg-Casco on Saturday, Oct. 10.