DeForest boys soccer opens season with six wins

DeForest's boys soccer team started the season 6–0, extending a strong stretch for the program.

DeForest, fresh off back-to-back Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) state tournament appearances, including a runner-up finish last fall, has started the season a perfect 6-0.

In light of the strong start to the year, DeForest find themselves ranked No. 2 in both the Division 1 and overall Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association (WSCA) Week 2 polls.

Through DeForest’s six wins, they’ve outscored their opponents 18-2. DeForest knocked off Homestead 4-0, Madison La Follette 1-0, Madison Memorial 3-0, Sauk Prairie 3-0, Monona Grove 4-1 and Sun Prairie West 3-1.

Interestingly enough, five of their six wins so far this year have come on the road. DeForest's first home match of the season was against Sun Prairie West on Saturday, Sept. 5.

Results behind the start

Through DeForest’s first four games against Homestead, Madison La Follette, Madison Memorial and Sauk Prairie, they did not concede a goal. DeForest coach Josh Howard said that in that sample size, they allowed only nine shots on goal.

Junior goalkeeper Kolby Herschleb recorded six saves, while junior goalkeeper Collin Hubred recorded three saves.

Offensively, DeForest struck what may best be described as a “balanced” effort.

Senior forward/midfielders Antonio Anchondo and Landon Adams each scored a team-high three goals, according to stats provided by coach Josh Howard.

But more goalscoring trickled in, with senior midfielder/defender Carter Deming chipping in with two goals while senior defender Danny Marini, sophomore forward/midfielder Carson Roudebush and senior midfielder Brad Powers scoring a shot across the goal line once.

Antonio Anchondo, who received First Team All-Conference recognition as a sophomore the previous season, led DeForest in assists through four games with five.

Then came a big-time win.

On Thursday, Sept. 3, DeForest hit the road to face Monona Grove at John Klement Stadium. The Silver Eagles entered Thursday’s tilt ranked No. 4 in the Division 2 poll.

Yet DeForest made quick work of Monona Grove, cruising to a 4-1 victory.

Carter Deming struck first, scoring an unassisted goal at the 23-minute mark before Carson Roudebush scored four minutes later, assisted by Landon Adams, to help DeForest take a 2-0 lead at the half.

In a lightning-quick flurry early in the second half, Antonio Anchondo scored back-to-back unanswered goals at the 47-minute mark and the 49-minute mark to give DeForest a four-point cushion, settling for a 4-1 victory, before capping the perfect week with a two-goal victory over Sun Prairie West.

Up next for DeForest, the second-ranked Norskies host Baraboo on Friday, Sept. 11 at 6 p.m. before taking a trip to Loves Park Rockford on Saturday, Sept. 12 in a non-conference neutral site match against St. Charles North (IL). According to MaxPreps.com, St. Charles North is ranked No. 22 in the Class 4A rankings.

To follow, DeForest travels to Waunakee (Sept. 17) and Madison East (Sept. 19 at Madison College).

Badger-Large Boys Soccer Records: DeForest 6-0-0, Waunakee 5-1-0, Milton 4-1-0, Oregon 3-1-1, Baraboo 2-2-0, Beaver Dam 2-2-0, Monona Grove 2-3-0, Watertown 0-4-0.