It’s been busy, focused, and energetic, and there’s no shortage of entertainment with this edition of ‘Nights Under the Lights,’ but what else can you expect during an NCAA soccer season? With games coming quickly and constantly, there’s almost no chance to breathe, let alone stay mentally focused with high energy during these past few weeks.
Our home-opening weekend came against Valparaiso and University of Pennsylvania, both teams with quality and were not going to lay down easily. Valparaiso deemed to be a frustrating opponent for us, and although we controlled the match and created many quality chances during it, we came out of the game with a 1-0 loss from a corner in the 88th minute. The game of football can be unbelievably cruel, and I’ve learned that during my years here at UWM, but sometimes the soccer God’s just aren’t on your side on the day.
We pulled up our socks and prepared for U-Penn on the upcoming Sunday, where again we came out strong with high intensity and created many chances. Except on this occasion we learned from our mistakes, putting away two quick goals and staying disciplined throughout the rest of the match to secure a clean sheet. It was a weekend of learning curves and major improvements from the squad, and we were looking forward to conference play the next weekend against Cleveland state at home!
Conference play is always a different type of battle compared to non-conference matches earlier in the season, so we as a squad knew we’d have to roll up our sleeves and be ready for a grueling battle. The match ended 1-1, with a goal coming from defender Jake Kelderman, but it definitely wasn’t our best performance. That being said, drawing a side in conference when we’re not at our best is a sign of better things to come; we had to improve, and we did.
The Milwaukee Cup. As a senior athlete at UWM you really grow to dislike Marquette. Each year you play them, the occasion gets more and more intense, and your desire to win that derby and host the trophy after the match only grows. It was at their ground this season, and I tell you there is nothing more I, and the team, wanted that week than to host that trophy on Valley Field, and it showed. From the first whistle to last, every guy on that pitch in a UWM uniform worked their tail off. A goal each from the Three Lions Josh Kaye and Sean Holmes was enough to get us over the line, and we earned a vital three points against our most fierce cross-town rivals.
Next up was another conference match against top 50 side Northern Kentucky, who were on a streak of good results and had some top players earning some great statistical achievements at the start of this season. With some torrid conditions including rain and a dodgy pitch, we came out of the first half knotted at nil-nil. That being said, we knew we could get better and that only encouraged us going into the second half. We came out and showed some great quality to earn us another 2-1 win, goals coming from Evan Conway and Alex ‘Whitey’ Sykes. It was a happy bus ride home, and we could go into the next week where winning two trophies was possible in the horizon.
Next up came midweek opposition in Northern-Illinois, who going into the match were ranked #13 in the nation according to RPI standings. We were excited, and with a big crowd from the tailgate prior to the match our energy levels were through the roof. We came out strong with many quality chances in the first half and went into the break up 1-0 with a goal from captain Sean Reynolds, with the only negative aspect of our performance being we hadn’t gone two or three up in the first 20 minutes. Unfortunately, this came to bite us in the butt as we gave away a couple soft goals in the second half and couldn’t rebound back. It was a disappointing game, and although it wasn’t a conference game, it was still a game we could look back on as frustrating. But another learning experience for us as a team, because no less than three days later we were back on Engelmann pitch again against our second Wisconsin rivals, Green Bay.
They had snaked away with the trophy last season with a goal on our home pitch in overtime to win it, so we as an entire team were nothing but eager to recreate that script. Conference match and a heated rivalry between us, everyone knew going into the match we would have to be energetic and ready to battle. It was a massive chess match, with each team feeling the other out and it lead to a stalemate at the end of the regular 90 minutes. Into overtime we went, and with so many matches in the last couple weeks it was nothing less than taxing on the bodies. With a minute to go in the first overtime, English lad Sean Holmes came up with the goods yet again scoring a proper turn and finish, and the celebrations began. It was a great, well-deserved win, and we left the field with our heads held high having regained the Chancellors cup.
Well, like I said it’s been busy but no short of energy and entertainment. We’re on the road now for a few matches with another cross-state rivalry game against BIG 10 Wisconsin-Madison this week, with conference games also coming up! Make sure to tune into ESPN for our upcoming matches, and we’re looking forward to continuing our run of form going into the last two-thirds of conference play!
Thanks for checking in!!
-Frankie
