Update: the Elks defeated Delavan-Darien, 2-0, Tuesday in the SLC championship and followed that up with a 3-0 shutout of Muskego Thursday. Pick up a copy of the Oct. 19 Independent for complete post-season coverage.
By Chris Bennett
Sports correspondent
The Elkhorn Area High School boys soccer team won emphatically in the team’s only match last week.
The Elks (12-1-4, 7-0-1 SLC) crushed Badger 7-1 Oct. 3 at Elkhorn in the first round of the Southern Lakes Conference Varsity Tournament,
Elkhorn played Delavan-Darien (20-0-2, 7-0-1 SLC) Tuesday at Elkhorn for the SLC regular season and tournament titles. The Comets won 3-2 Oct. 3 at home against Union Grove (14-3-2, 5-3 SLC) in the first round of the SLC Tournament.
A victory over the Comets means the Elks won the conference title outright. A tie means the Comets and Elks split both crowns.
The Elks are ranked seventh in Division 2 in the latest Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association state poll. Delavan-Darien is ranked No. 1 in Division 3.
Coach BZ Kayser said the Elks started hot against Badger.
“We just came out on fire with those guys,” Kayser said. “We put up a lot of goals, and just played really well.
“We didn’t do too much that was bad. We dominated the whole game.”
Ben Burrows scored in the 14th minute, which was followed by goals from Kevin Romero in the 18th and 24th minutes. Bryant Romero scored again in the 28th minute, and the Elks led 4-0 at halftime.
Kevin Romero opened the second-half scoring with a goal in the 53rd minute. Luke Umnus scored in the 68th minute, and Kevin Romero wrapped-up the scoring with a goal in the 69th minute.
“I think our matchups are just faster than theirs, and stronger,” Kayser said. “Every spot where we matched up with them, we were better.”
Kayser said the Elks did a good job controlling the match and keeping Badger’s standout forward Payton Aranda in check. Kayser said Aranda is attending Wright State University, a NCAA Division 1 University in Fairborn, Ohio, next season on scholarship.
Aranda scored for Badger (8-8-1, 4-4 SLC) in the 59th minute.
