Shawano, Pulaski each split a pair of soccer contests

As the 2023 soccer season winds down, the Shawano Hawks are hoping to get back on track as they have had to endure their share of injuries and struggles this season.

What started with a match against Menasha on Sept. 26, ended with Merrill on Sept. 29 as the Hawks managed to go 1-1 this week. Looking to push their winning streak to a season high three games against the Blue Jays, Shawano was unable to contain the high-powered Menasha attack and fell to the Blue Jays by a final score of 4-1. Warner Beyer played a huge role in the goal for the Hawks as he picked up the assist while George Buerman finished it home for the Hawks.

Shawano closed out the week with a non-conference home game against Merrill and proceeded to deliver one of their better overall performances on the season with a 4-1 victory. The Hawks are sitting at 6-9-2 with two games left to play.

Pulaski splits a pair

What has been an overall successful season for Pulaski (10-5-1, 2-3) continued as the Red Raiders split a pair of conference games this past week. First on the docket were the Raiders of Sheboygan North as they came into Pulaski on Sept. 26. Led by a pair of unassisted first half goals to open up a 2-0 lead, the Red Raiders did what they had to do and held off Sheboygan North 3-1.

Pulaski built a two-goal lead in the first half courtesy of goals from Nolan Pratt and Zach Valeria in the 24th and 39th minutes, respectively. Both goals were unassisted as it was all Pulaski in the early going. The Red Raiders added a goal to the margin when Ben Uelmen converted a penalty kick in the 44th minute to close out the scoring for them as they opened up a convincing 3-0 lead. North was able to get one of those goals back in the 63rd minute when Alejandro Barojas-Diaz found the net, but that was it as Josh Roth held strong to post five saves in the win.

Facing one of their toughest tests in awhile, Pulaski took on the high-powered Notre Dame Tritons on Sept. 28 for a huge conference tilt. What was expected to be a tough and competitive game certainly delivered as Pulaski fell in a hard-fought 3-2 decision. The teams traded goals in the first half. Liam West got Notre Dame on the board first with a goal in the 10th minute. Ben Uelmen answered for Pulaski in the 22nd minute.

The Red Raiders took the lead when Hudson Schultz finished off a cross from Aran Capella in the 43rd minute. The Tritons got the equalizer in the 50th minute from Giuliano Auricchio, and Michael Kussow scored the game winning goal directly off a corner kick he took. The Red Raiders outshot the Tritons 14-4 but could not capitalize on the lopsided margin.

Bowler/Gresham struggles

Rebuilding a soccer program is never an easy task, and that is what Walter Moesch has had to go through this season as his team continues to struggle to find wins. What started with a rough 8-0 loss to Amherst on Sept. 25, turned into a positive finish as the Wildcats managed to tie Columbus/Catholic 0-0 later in the week. Granted, the goals are still tough to come by for Bowler/Gresham at this point, but they are starting to play more consistently as a unit.