September 2015

They’ve put themselves in a position they desired.

Now, Middleton’s boys soccer team will try finishing what it started.

The Cardinals lead the Big Eight Conference with a 3-0-1 league mark and are 7-2-1 overall. With the meat of the conference schedule ahead, Middleton will try capturing a Big Eight title.

“We have players contributing in unexpected ways and in unexpected roles and they are still thriving,” Middleton coach Ben Kollasch said. “This team, so far, has epitomized the theory that Middleton never rebuilds, just reloads.”

Middleton notched a 4-1 win over Madison La Follette last Tuesday and a 2-0 win over Eau Claire Memorial last Saturday. In between, the Cardinals completed a previously suspended game against Madison East and rallied for a 2-2 tie with the Purgolders.

Now comes the daunting part of Middleton’s schedule.

Middleton’s girls cross country team finished third at the 30-team Midwest Invitational in Janesville last Saturday.

Hartland Arrowhead was first with 85 points, while Kimberly was second at 89. Middleton was third with 152 points, while Madison West (192) and Wisconsin Lutheran (214) rounded out the top five.

Sam Valentine was second individually, completing the 5,000-meter race in 18 minutes, 35 seconds.

“Sam Valentine continues to burn the courses,” Middleton co-coach Cindy Bremser said. “She ran another personal best and closed a 20-second gap on the top runner.”

Charlotte Sue was 21^st (20:01), Erika Rader was 27^th (20:20), Autumn Grim was 49^th (20:57) and Iris Ohlrogge was 53^rd (21:05).

“Going under 20 (minutes) is a big goal for Charlotte and it will happen soon,” Bremser said. “Erika Rader continues to improve and gain confidence and is a strong No. 3 runner on the team. 

It’s not always sexy.

But more often than not, it’s extremely successful.

Defense, defense and more defense is what Middleton boys volleyball coach Ben White stresses. And it’s usually key for the Cardinals.

That was certainly the case last Thursday, when Middleton rolled past Madison West, 25-9, 25-19, 25-12.

“Easily our best defensive match of the season,” White said. “Madison West has a couple of outside (hitters) that can hit pretty hard and they swing for the fences every time. That leads to more blocks, more digs and more errors by your opponent.”

Senior outside hitter Kevin McMahon led the Cardinals with 18 kills and two aces, while senior middle blocker Blake Sprecher had seven kills. Senior setter Matthew Caamal had 20 assists and sophomore setter Andrew Lepage had seven assists.

One by one, they trudged off Memorial Field with the same look on their faces.

Shock. Anger. Disbelief. Frustration.

Middleton’s football team seemed well on its way to keeping its unbeaten season alive Friday night. But visiting Madison Memorial scored the final 17 points and rallied for a stunning 31-28 win.

The Spartans prevailed when junior kicker Karl Hummel drilled a 20-yard field goal with 3 seconds left.

Middleton dropped to 5-1 overall and in the Big Eight Conference and is now tied for first place in the league with Madison La Follette. Madison Memorial won its fourth straight game and improved to 4-2.

“I don’t know what happened. I’m just shocked,” said Cardinals senior running back Cam Maly. “We do expect to win. We work hard every day and we get better every day. We don’t expect to just fall apart.”