Panthers secure third win

     It took a penalty kick, 15 minutes into the second half, but the Monticello High School boys soccer team picked up its third win of the season, edging Maquoketa 2-1 April 23 in Monticello.

     The Panthers (3-5) got a goal from Tony Wallerich midway through the first half, before Maquoketa tied the match late in the half.

     Overall, the match was a sign of the team’s improvement, coach Phil Gilkerson said.

     “Our ball movement and spacing has improved every game this season, and that has translated to better play on the field,” the coach said. “We passed the ball very well, and that allowed us to create scoring chances. We were able to score on one and create a penalty chance out of another.”

     Monticello had eight shots on goal in the match, including three each by Kurt Stadtmueller and Wallerich, and two by Holub. Goalkeeper Noah Halder made 18 saves to preserve the win.

     Monticello had another home match April 27, but lost to Clinton Prince of Peace 4-0. The visitors took a 1-0 lead into halftime, and tallied three times in the second half.

     “We had a number of opportunities to score against POP, but couldn’t find the back of the net, and they took advantage of their scoring chances,” Gilkerson said. “I was happy with how we played; we just weren’t able to finish in the scoring third of the field.”