Panthers battle weather, four foes as season begins

     Monticello, like most boys soccer teams across the state of Iowa, have battled through cold and often wet conditions as the spring season has begun.

     The Panthers (1-3) got started on Saturday, March 31, with three matches in one day. Monticello lost 9-0 to Solon, defeated Mediapolis 2-1, and lost to Bellevue Marquette 11-2.

     “Three games in one day is always a challenge, but our team dug deep and played well,” Monticello coach Phil Gilkerson said.

     In the Solon match, the Panthers were held to two shots, one each by Gavin Holub and Kurt Stadtmueller. Goalkeeper Noel Halder made 20 saves.

     Against Mediapolis, Holub scored a goal early in the second half to put the Panthers ahead, and Mediapolis tied it with 15 minutes left. That led to a shootout, which Monticello won 4-3 on penalty kick goals by Janik Chally, Holub, Tony Wallerich and Juan Perez, officially giving the Panthers a 2-1 win. Halder made 14 saves.

     Holub scored twice more in the Bellevue Marquette match, and had five shots overall, including three on goal. Stadtmueller had three shots, including one on goal. Jacob Fokken took two shots, while Ethan Martensen and Chally had one apiece. Halder made 15 saves.

     On a chilly night April 2, the Panthers traveled to Anamosa, and suffered a 5-1 loss. Anamosa jumped to a 3-1 lead before Holub scored on a shot from the left side with 5:44 left in the first half.

     The Blue Raiders, however, added two more goals to put the match away. Holub finished with four shots on goal among five total shots. Chally also had one shot in the match. Halder was credited with 18 saves.

     “Our team is learning to play together, and we are improving with each half of soccer that we play,” Gilkerson said. “The weather has been a challenge, but we have used it to improve our play in those conditions.”