Strong Start to the Season for Raiders Soccer

The Sugar River Raiders started the season returning a large number of experienced and talented players from last year, along with a veteran coaching staff. Head Coach John Ziperski is in his 16th season, along with Assistant Coach Dick Sanders and JV Coaches Matt Belnap and Jake Ziehr. The Raiders made a strong start to the season with three wins and one loss that came in a game called at half time due to weather.
On April 7th, the Raiders traveled to DeForest to take on the Norskies. On a cold and windy night the team was tested but proved resilient. DeForest was able to find the net with a score in the first half but the Raiders were able to keep the game within reach by turning away the Norskie offense and by taking several shots on goal. Unfortunately for the Raiders, the game was called at half time due to lightning. Final score: Deforest 1, Sugar River 0. JV lost to DeForest by a score of 2 to 1.
On April 10th, the Raiders traveled to Columbus to take on a Capital Conference opponent in the Cardinals. The Raider offense mounted a strong attack with many shots on goal. Junior midfielder Taylor Legler secured the first Raider goal near the end of the first half and senior midfielder Breanne Kreklow added to the Raider lead with a goal in the second half. The Raiders continued to pound shots at the Cardinal goalkeeper, who recorded 16 saves. Final Score: Sugar River 2, Columbus 0.
On April 11th, at the Sugar River Invitational in Belleville, the Raiders played Dodgeville in the first game. A powerful and high scoring Raider offense proved overwhelming for Dodgeville. Leading by nine goals at halftime, the Raiders quickly added a tenth goal during the second half and the game was called. Leading the scoring for the Raiders with three goals was junior forward Brooke Larson. Senior midfielder Breanne Kreklow and junior midfielder Taylor Legler each added two goals. Senior forward Hannah Donlin and junior forward Vanessa Narveson recorded a goal apiece, with junior midfielder Nicole Sanders adding the final goal on a penalty kick. A strong Raider defense anchored by senior goalkeeper Paige Natzke recorded their second shut-out of the early season. Final Score: Sugar River 10, Dodgeville 0.
The Raiders played the Stoughton Vikings in their second game of the Invitational. Taylor Legler put the ball in the net for the Raiders less than two minutes into the game. Nicole Sanders added two more goals for the Raiders on penalty kicks. Stoughton scored their only goal late in the game. Final score: Sugar River 3, Stoughton 1.