May 28-30, 2011
U12 Ranger Boys
The U12 Rangers boys team is putting the final touches on their "12 games/24 day" tour. The boys team sits at 3 and 1 in league play, with a tough loss early (5/12) to North Shore Arsenal Blue (6-4). The boys picked up the game and gained some momentum against KM United Gold on May 15, notching a 9 to 1 victory. The boys then traveled to Waukesha for a week night reschedule. After a slow start, with many distractions early on, the boys tallied 8 straight goals to win 8 to 1. Next up was Racine Spartans White at SCORe fields. Undaunted by the size of their opponent (some boys appearing to be 6 foot tall), and unnerved by the rain falling from the sky, Grafton won 8 to 3.
The team is now in Minnesota, playing in the NSC Cup. The first hurdle out of the way, Rochester (MN) was disposed of quickly in a 8 to 0 victory. With 4 guest players helping the cause, Grafton didn't seem to miss a beat. The boys are playing simply and quickly. Up next DASC (Dakota Alliance Soccer Club). Another team of 6 footers.
Game 2: The boys were riding high off of the 8 to 0 victory in their first game of the NSC Cup in Blaine, MN. That was until they saw the group of boys up next. A hungry, and very tall, group of boys from the Dakota Alliance Soccer Club was up next. Facing a physically stronger opponent than anyone the boys have seen so far this season, the Rangers started off the game tentative. It seemed Dakota was hoping for this and fed off of it. Dakota applied speed and pressure (not to mention the occasional love tap and full Nelson) to the Rangers, forcing bad decisions and weak passes. Dakota struck first, scoring the only goal of the first half. Good defence from Brian Holdmann, Tyler Otto, Jake Pedersen, and Quinton Riddle staved off effort after effort. Grafton pulled even in the second half with a clean up goal from Hustisford native, Jayson Voigt. Sadly, the defense had to give (mostly because the Rangers were running out of bodies), and Dakota pulled ahead for good, winning the game 2 to 1.
Game 3: Up next for the shaken Rangers was Euro FC, from Rochester, MN. With a focus on fun the boys stepped onto the field. Except for a short nap in the second half, the boys dominated the game from start to finish. The victory was highlited by a hat trick from Ben Hughes and another two goals from Jayson Voigt. This victory only meant one thing; a second place seed... and a rematch against Dakota Alliance Silver.
Championship game: The team arrived at the field at 10:45 for their 11:30 game, only to discover that the games had been weather delayed by roughly an hour. The "roughly an hour" quickly grew, and the U12 Boys B Championship match started at 1:15pm. Three minutes after that, Ben Hughes put the first of his goals into the back of the net. Minute by minute the Rangers dissected their opponent. Also scoring goals in the first half were guest player (and 8 year old) Max Stilb and Jayson Voigt. Taking a 3-0 lead into halftime, the Rangers boys were excited. The key to the second half was to remain "cool", keep focus, and don't get rattled. From the second half kick off Grafton scored 3 more unanswered goals. At this point, Dakota had lost focus and turned on itself. The two teams shared one more goal a piece, and finished the game in favor of Grafton, 7 to 1. Grafton had achieved the reversal, and over came Goliath. Step by step, and piece by piece, Grafton took Dakota apart. Congratulations boys...a well earned and tough fought victory.
This championship victory marks the first for the boys in their select careers. Previous finishes go down as; Fall 2009 New Berlin Fall Classic-2nd Place; 2009 Pepsi Youth Cup-2nd Place; 2009 Mequon Fall Classic-2nd Place, 2010 Reddan Spring Shootout-2nd Place; 2011 A|B Select Tournament-2nd Place.
U12 Ranger Girls
Saturday May 28
The U12 Ranger Girls took the field against an undefeated United FC team that allowed only three goals all season. The girls showed what playing quality soccer is all about, dominating the game both offensively and defensively. The offensive threat of Hailey Hacker, Megan Barian, Maria Olson and Sara Gramoll gave United FC their first loss of the season. Gillian Waskewicz finished off a perfectly placed corner kick from Kennedy Izzard, which put the girls up 1-0. The aggressive and never give up defensive play from midfielders Sierra Rome, Waskewicz, Caitlin Kugi, Makenna Race, and Chloe Doring along with a solid defensive line of Kristi Orthober, McKenna Zwicker, Izzard and goalie Brianna Schnell shut down United FC's offensive line. Some simple, perfect passing by Barian and Doring led to the Rangers second goal from Hacker. Ranger Girls win 2-0. A great team effort by all, keep it up girls!!!
The U12 Ranger Girls took the field against an undefeated United FC team that allowed only three goals all season. The girls showed what playing quality soccer is all about, dominating the game both offensively and defensively. The offensive threat of Hailey Hacker, Megan Barian, Maria Olson and Sara Gramoll gave United FC their first loss of the season. Gillian Waskewicz finished off a perfectly placed corner kick from Kennedy Izzard, which put the girls up 1-0. The aggressive and never give up defensive play from midfielders Sierra Rome, Waskewicz, Caitlin Kugi, Makenna Race, and Chloe Doring along with a solid defensive line of Kristi Orthober, McKenna Zwicker, Izzard and goalie Brianna Schnell shut down United FC's offensive line. Some simple, perfect passing by Barian and Doring led to the Rangers second goal from Hacker. Ranger Girls win 2-0. A great team effort by all, keep it up girls!!!
