Winnebago Lutheran Academy refuses to give up a goal.
The Vikings' experienced defense pitched its fourth-straight shutout to start the year on Tuesday night in a 0-0 draw against Lourdes/Valley Christian.
Coach Rev. David Haag said his team knew that the Knights would be one of the top teams in the conference this season.
"Based on early season results, we figured this would be one of, if not the favorite in the conference," Haag said. "It's always tough to tell early in the season, but we were looking at this as a huge game."
WLA (2-0-2 overall, 1-0-1 in Flyway) did not record a shot on goal and was forced to defend most of the night as the Lourdes dominated possession and put the Vikings under pressure.
It is the second time in four matches that the Vikings have struggled offensively, for they had just one shot on goal in the season opener against Kettle Moraine Lutheran, another 0-0 draw.
Haag said the Vikings may have to rely on success in low scoring matches this season.
"Coming into the season, I felt that our strength would be our back four and that Henry [Brock] would play well in goal and that we would be a team that has to win 1-0 games and get 0-0 draws instead of winning 6-2 like last year," Haag said. "It did play out the way I was expecting. They did possess well, and they were more dangerous with their attackers."
WLA's starting defense consists of four seniors, all who have at least one season of varsity experience. Carter Heinzelman and Max Hansmann anchor the center of the defense and are both captains.
The Knights (2-1-2, 0-0-1) forced junior goalkeeper Brock into six saves, including several dangerous shots from Isaak Rucinski, who has 8 goals and 4 assists on the season so far.
Haag credited not only his defense, but also midfielders Kolby Trewin and Sawyer Schuh for their work defending the dangerous Rucinski.
Despite the early season struggles offensively, Hansmann said he thinks the team is on the brink of putting it together.
"We've just got to work on our midfield and forward and offensive game," Hansmann said. "I think we're going to start putting balls in the back of the net."
PHOTO GALLERY: Lourdes/VC at WLA - 9/10/2024
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