Hawks Claim First Place at Tosa West
WAUWATOSA - Coming off an exciting 1-0 win over the #1 ranked Division 2 team in the state, the Catholic Memorial Crusaders, the Grafton Black Hawks returned to Whitman Field in Wauwatosa for the Championship match against the host Wauwatosa West Trojans. The Trojans tied North Shore Conference title contendor Whitefish Bay Friday night in their match at 1-1, but the Trojans were able to take the shootout. This time around, the game would be just as close. Both teams had plenty of chances to score throughout the first half, but things would remain scoreless going into halftime. After halftime, West came out right away and were on the recieving end of a little luck. #13 recieved the ball way wide from about 25 yards out and ripped a shot that unfortunatly recieved only the slightest deflection off of junior defender Matt Solverson. That deflection was enough to throw off junior goalkeeper Matt King and the ball hit the back of the net, giving the Trojans a 1-0 lead in the 43rd minute. Things would remain pretty active, with Grafton getting a few chances here and there. Finally, with just 6 minutes remaining in regulation, junior Corby Oleson took a shot from inside the penalty area that struck the far post and was run down by senior Spencer Bursten, who somehow was able to sneak it past the goalkeeper for the equilizer. With the game tied at 1-1, the whistle blew and the game officially ended in a 1-1 tie. The tournament, however, needed a champion to be crowned, so the two teams went straight to a penalty shootout. Kicking for the Black Hawks were Brian Galbraith, Kevin Carlson, Bursten, Patrick Schmalz, and Adam Wozniak. Goalkeeper Matt King, who was outstanding for the entire weekend, was even more spectacular in the shootout. The first two shooters for both squads finished their kicks, but then the Trojan's goalkeeper made a nice save on Bursten, leaving it up to King. He had guessed right on the previous two attempts, even getting a finger or two on them. This time around, King picked it out perfectly and denyed the attempt, punching it clear and keeping the sides even. Then, Schmalz stepped up and drilled his go-ahead PK and left it up to King again. He would again reject the Trojan attempt, holding on for dear life, setting up Wozniak, a senior defender / midfielder, for the win. Woz struck the ball perfectly after a huge run up, and the ball was buried into the top of the goal far post in an absolutly disgusting shot that sealed the deal for Grafton. The result extends the Black Hawks unbeaten streak to six games, but that streak will be seriously put to the test Monday night in Grafton has the Black Hawks welcome the Homestead Highlanders to town. Kick-off is slated for 7:00.
