By Dan Truttschel
Sports Correspondent
Early in last week’s Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Division 3 regional opener at St. Thomas More, the East Troy High School boys soccer team had its sights set on a monumental upset.
The Trojans had the lead just seven minutes into the contest – but it didn’t last.
Thomas More had a lot to do with that.
The hosts tied the match at the 26-minute mark, grabbed the lead 13 minutes later and took control in the second half en route to a 4-1 victory.
East Troy closed its season at 2-13-1 overall. Thomas More defeated Rock Valley Conference champion Whitewater 2-0 in the next round to advance to this week’s sectional tournament.
Despite the loss, there were plenty of positives to draw from, East Troy coach Mike Bottum said.
“I was happy with how the team played,” he said. “We passed and defended well. It was very difficult, given our size and youth, to be competitive against a physical team.”
The Trojans took the lead on a goal by senior Brett Harper off an assist by senior Kai Bottum.
East Troy goalies Ryan Griffa and Nick Blair had 11 and two blocks, respectively.
The loss ended the East Troy playing careers of Joey Zess, Bottum, Charlie Housh, Justin Krusenbaum, Harper and Noah Scheer.
Kai Bottum, who will play at the Division 1 level at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and Harper, both were four-year varsity players who will be missed, their coach said.
“Kai and Brett worked very hard during the off-season to conduct practices and open gyms,” Mike Bottum said. “I was very proud of the leadership they showed despite setbacks and disappointment.”
Housh was a three-year varsity player for the Trojans, while Zess, Scheer, Krusenbaum all competed for the past two years.
Looking ahead to 2014, Bottum said the returning players must dedicate themselves to working hard during the off-season to improve their skills.
“Next year, we will continue to be a young team,” he said. “It will be extremely important to develop skills and strength during the off-season.”
Information on All-Rock Valley Conference voting, team awards and a statistical wrap up will run in a future edition.
