Second half goal lifts Panthers over WD

     Monticello took advantage of good weather, and the festivity of Senior Night, to score a 2-1 girls soccer victory over West Delaware May 13 at Dean Nelson Field.

     Jordan Lorenzen broke a 1-1 tie with about 29 minutes left to play, rolling a shot from the right side just inside the left post.

     In the first half, Evee Krouse scored on a hard shot from the right side that was deflected by the goalkeeper but found the net anyway.

     “We went with a different lineup to try and generate some more offense,” Monticello coach Bruce Feuling said. “ We moved Jordan Lorenzen and Evee Krouse to the forward position, and that paid off as they both were able to score.”

     Monticello (2-9) had seven shots on goal in the West Delaware match, including three by Evee Krouse, and two each from Sophia Ahlrichs and Jordan Lorenzen.

     Hannah Ahlrichs, the Panther goalkeeper, made six saves.

     “The defense played solid and well enough to turn back multiple attacks,” Feuling said.

     After the game, seniors Megan James, Sophia Ahlrichs and Lorenzen were honored.

     Things didn’t go as well for the Panthers in a May 16 match at Vinton-Shellsburg, in a 9-0 loss. The Vikings scored five goals in the first half and four in the second in very hot conditions, with the temperature on the artificial turf measuring 94 degrees.

     “Those were the hottest game day conditions we have played in for a long time,” Feuling said. “It was the first time since the Dubuque Wahlert game last year where we took a water break midway through each half.

     “But even in those conditions, the girls played hard and gained some valuable experience.”

     Panther goalkeeper Lydia Lange recorded eight saves. Monticello had eight shots on goal, with Nicole Porter, Krouse and Lorenzen registering two apiece. Sophia Ahlrichs and Esther Funk had one each.

     The weather changed dramatically for a May 17 match at Maquoketa, dropping to 60 degrees. Maquoketa got the better of the Panthers in the match, winning 2-0.

     “The teams were well-matched, as there were runs made by both teams,” Feuling said. “The energy was good, and I was happy with the way the girls played.”

     The Cardinals scored with less than two minutes left in the first half, and again with less than 10 minutes left in the second half. Goalkeeper Hannah Ahlrichs made 21 saves.