By Murray Gleffe
Correspondent
GREEN BAY – Green Bay Preble goaltender Noah Conard made 11 saves in net to lift the Hornets to a 1-0 victory over Kimberly in a WIAA regional semifinal soccer game Oct. 22.
The game was played at Green Bay Southwest High School.
“To make saves as Noah did in damp and windy conditions was awesome to see,” said Preble head coach Chris Becker, who picked up his 300th career win as head coach. “It’s very difficult to sit in goal, have the ball come at you as hard as it does and make those split-second decisions.”
Kimberly started with the wind at its back.
Conard was put to the test in the opening minutes of the game.
Sebastian Pagan-Vega and Ethan Dietrich each ripped early 21- and 32-foot shots on goal, but were both turned away by Conard.
Preble built some momentum and received its first shot on goal after Collin Derenne connected on a free-kick that was saved by Kimberly goaltender Ryan Kelly.
In the 18th minute, the Hornets struck.
Preble’s Jackson Schaetz sent a give-and-go pass to Sergio Garcia who floated a 14-foot shot into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.
Moments before halftime, Conard made three punch saves that went over the top of the net and out of play to preserve the one-goal lead.
“The wind was a big factor, and you have to know how the ball is going to rotate and get your body in position to make the save,” said Conard. “The elements can be unpredictable at times, but in the end, we got a great team win.”
With 13 total shots on goal in the first half, the second half brought much more defense to the field.
In the 59th minute, the Hornets almost put the game away after Brandon Ramirez had a free path to the goal but was turned away at the last minute by Kelly.
The Papermakers received their last good chance on goal in the 63rd minute, but again, Conard came up big to garner the shutout.
The Hornets advanced to take on Bay Port in a WIAA regional final game Saturday, Oct. 26.
Bay Port, members of the Fox River Classic Conference with Preble, defeated the Hornets earlier in the season, 5-4.
Game time will be at 4 p.m. at Bay Port High School.
Box score
Kimberly: 0, 0—0
Preble: 1, 0—1