Spartans Fall at New Richmond

 

The Superior Spartans boys soccer teams traveled to New Richmond on Friday night for a battle with the Tigers of the Big Rivers Conference.  Over the last few years the two schools have matched up with close contests, including a 1-1 tie last season.  

Unfortunately, the Spartans came out flat and New Richmond was gunning.  The Tigers struck first with a goal on some solid passing to take a 1-0 lead just four minutes into the game.  Superior settled down and the game was a back and forth battle.  New Richmond was physically aggressive, and the Spartans had to adjust.  In the last few minutes of the first half, Superior finally started stringing together some passes and possession.  The momentum turned to the Spartans but the score held at 1-0 through halftime.

In the second half, we struggled to get settled and couldn't produce anything dangerous toward the Tiger goal.  Eventually New Richmond doubled their lead with 15 minutes remaining.  However, that woke up Superior and the rest of the game we had the momentum and control.  On a free kick from 40-50 yards out sophomore Marc Pagnucci played a perfect ball into the box and junior Spencer Kidd headed it home for his fourth goal of the season.  That made the score 2-1 with 9:56 remaining.  Superior pressed and with less than three minutes left another string of passes led to a shot from Kidd that went just wide.  In the end that was all we could muster and New Richmond held on for the 2-1 victory.  Junior Brady Bachand made six saves in goal.  Due to his reliable and consistent play in defense, senior Jack Mueller was named the man of the match by the captains.  It was a frustrating result, but the boys are determined to learn lessons and not forget the feeling we were left with when the final horn sounded.  Superior now falls to 1-1 on the season.

On the bright side, our JV Spartans are coming home with a victory!  In a hard fought battle that was back and forth in the midfield, Superior played strong defense and finished their first shot on goal when junior Griffin Dallum headed home a corner kick from senior Ryan Pettingill in the second half. That was all we needed as freshmen goalies Keagan Shannon and Demion Campbell each played a half and shared the shutout.  Our JV team is now 2-0 to start the season!

Both teams are back in action on Tuesday night when we host Rice Lake.  JV plays at the Swamp at 5:00pm and varsity will be at the NBC Spartans Sports Complex at 7:00pm.  We hope to see you out at the game!  Go Spartans!!!