By Murray Gleffe
Correspondent
GREEN BAY – It didn’t come easy for the Green Bay Preble boys’ soccer team.
Preble needed a goal in the 72nd minute to get past De Pere, 2-1, in a Fox River Classic Conference game Oct. 12 at Gauthier Family Stadium.
Sam Williams notched both goals for the Hornets (13-0-4).
Preble dominated the offense early with their crisp passing and attacking style.
In the 16th minute, Oscar Hernandez and Sam Hummel kept the pressure on in the De Pere (8-7-2) zone.
Out of nowhere, Williams came flying in and headed the first goal into the back of the net to give the Hornets a 1-0 lead.
“We had lots of great opportunities throughout the game,” Chris Becker, Preble head coach, said. “It’s been our method of operation all season to outshoot opponents but keep them around until the end. Sam stepped up to get the first goal.”
The final few minutes of the first half were kind to the Redbirds, as they got their rhythm going with their forwards and midfielders.
In the 39th minute, the Hornets defense let De Pere leading scorer James Dorchester out front, and he blasted the ball in from 14 yards out to tie the game at 1-1.
“We were out of position on their goal,” Becker said. “We tried to substitute with some weary legs and got caught up. We knew going into this game we’d have to score more than one goal to beat De Pere.”
Midway through the second half, Preble appeared to take a one-goal lead, but Zach Ellenbecker’s shot hit off the left post, keeping the game tied.
With 8 minutes remaining in the contest, Preble finally capitalized.
Brandon Ramirez sent a flick pass to a cutting Williams, who sent the header home for a 2-1 lead.
“Brandon probably ran about six miles today,” Becker said. “He was all over the field. Once he got the ball, the De Pere guys went to him, and he found Sam for the goal.”
Preble’s 18 seniors played their last game on the natural grass field at Preble.
They end the regular season Thursday, Oct. 14, at Manitowoc Lincoln.
“We need to stay sharp against the Ships to prepare for the playoffs,” Becker said. “We have to be mentally ready moving forward. I’m happy to get the victory for this group of seniors. The camaraderie of this group is unmatched by other teams – there is no divide. Everybody has stuck together to achieve the success we’ve had.”
Box score:
De Pere: 1, 0 – 1
Green Bay Preble: 1, 1 – 2