One-goal loss prevents rematch with Burlington
By Chris Bennett
Correspondent
A skilled Milton squad brought the Elkhorn Area High School girls soccer team’s season to an end short of a regional title.
The Elks lost 2-1 to the Red Hawks June 4 in a regional final match at Elkhorn. Milton, seeded third, plays No. 1-seeded Burlington today at Burlington (14-2-2) in a sectional semifinal match.
Elkhorn was seeded second in the eight-team regional.
“They’re really talented,’ Elks coach BZ Kayser said of Milton. “They’re as talented as Burlington. We played really well – probably our best game of the year, by far.”
Kayser said the match against Milton (12-5) is the most physical the Elks played this season.
“We had opportunities to tie that game up and win it at times, too,” Kayser said. “It was one of those games.”
Kayser said some of the Elks’ shots on goal went over the top of the frame and also bounced-off the post.
Mackenzie Umnus scored Elkhorn’s only goal against Milton. Umnus put the ball on goal from outside the 18-yard mark with her left foot and curled the ball into the upper corner of the net.
Milton beat Westosha Central 11-0 June 2 at Milton in a regional semifinal to advance and face the Elks. Elkhorn beat Fort Atkinson 3-0 June 2 in a regional semifinal at home to advance and play the Red Hawks.
“That game probably could have been 10-0 or 11-0,” Kayser said. “We played pretty well – we just couldn’t score.”
Kayser said the Elks did as they pleased in the regional semifinal against the Blackhawks. Megan Skoczylas scored twice and Olivia May once for the Elks.
May finished the season ranked ninth in the state in goals with 36 and 10th in the state in points (81), according to WisSports.net.
The loss against Milton marked only the second time this season the Elks lost. Burlington beat Elkhorn 6-0 May 26 at Burlington in the title game of the Southern Lakes Conference Tournament. Elkhorn finished with an overall record of 17-2-4.
“You never want to see the season end,” Kayser said. “This was the first time I had them the whole offseason, and you just want to see where it all end up.”
Kayser said he is pleased with the growth the Elks showed in his second season as head coach.
