EAU CLAIRE — The Eau Claire Regis/McDonnell girls soccer team entered the season with a few things they could rely on.
The co-op returns an experienced scorer from a team that was one game away from making it to the Division 4 state tournament. But so far this season, 14-year head coach Scott Hoffman has been impressed with his team's defense.
On Saturday, Regis/McDonnell played Menomonie and tied the game 2-2. Annabelle Schroeder and Lily Lewis co-scored and the Mustangs tied the game at one point early in the second half before scoring the tying goal with less than 10 minutes remaining.
The scoring from the senior duo of Schroder and Colleen Callahan is no surprise. Last season, Schroder set program records for single-season goals (43) and assists (31), finishing third in the state in assists and fifth in goals and total points. Callahan added 12 goals and five assists during his injury-plagued junior season, and both earned All-Conference recognition.
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But it has been the team's defense that has caught Hoffman's attention thus far. Senior Brittany Martin and junior Karlie Ferguson are the team's top returning defenders, while junior Matty Albright brings defensive acumen to the midfield. Combine that with the new faces in the lineup and the cooperation squad, and so far they haven't allowed more than two goals in a game.
“I'm very happy with our defense right now. It actually turned out to be a big strength of our team,” Hoffman said.
Part of that is because the team welcomes two new goalies in goal, senior Cassandra Herr and junior Carla Olson. Both players are new to the sport. Olson started the team's first three games and made nine saves Saturday. Both bring success from other sports into the spring.
“I saw courage and athleticism,” Hoffman said of the goaltender. “They're both great athletes. It's a different game and it takes time to understand the positioning and its nuances. But they've caught on pretty quickly.”
This co-op has a lot of young players, with only four in the senior class. However, with Schroder and Callahan now in college able to lead the offensive line, other players will be able to develop at their own speed and follow the lead of the two strong seniors.
“Their underclassmen have the ability to score,” Hoffman said. “What they need is a little more confidence and the goals will come to them.”But they have the talent to do that. ”
Schroeder took the lead in Saturday's game with less than five minutes left until halftime when he received a cross pass from Callahan and scored. The lead didn't last long, as Kiana Frank scored her first of two goals unassisted 53 seconds into the second half. Lewis, a sophomore, scored seven goals a season ago and scored his first goal of the season at 60:08 on an assist from Schroder. However, with less than eight minutes remaining, Frank found the back of the net again with an assist from Sidney Norby, and the game was tied.
In Saturday's nonconference game, Regis/McDonnell (2-0-1) made its first appearance in Big Rivers competition. Co-op is scheduled to play Eau Claire North on May 3, two important games as the team prepares for the playoffs.
“It gives us a different type of soccer,” Hoffman said. “Big Rivers is more aggressive, more physical, and we're not used to that.” It's a good experience for the girls to play these games. ”
Last season, Regis/McDonnell finished second in the Midwest Wisconsin Conference standings behind Wisconsin Rapids Assumption. For Regis/McDonnell, the Royals could once again be a top contender in the league and in the postseason, where both teams have faced each other many times over the years.
Regis/McDonnell returns to action Tuesday when they host Wautoma/Wildrose, followed by a big early season showdown at Assumption on Friday.
Photo: Eau Claire Regis/McDonnell Women's Soccer Host Menomonie 4-13-24