Port soccer starts the season warm

By 
MITCH MAERSCH
Ozaukee Press staff

Sparkplug Charlie Neitzke returns to Port Washington High School’s soccer team this season and wasted no time in making his presence felt.

The senior forward made two assists in Port’s 4-0 opening victory against Manitowoc Lincoln on Aug. 27 and scored a goal in the Pirates’ 2-0 win over Sheboygan South last Thursday.

“Energy from Charlie is always there. He kind of leads by example,” coach Sean O’Brien said.

About 45 players are in the program this season, and 23 are on the varsity team. O’Brien said finding playing time for so many players participating in the soccer program is a good problem to have.

Other returning players include senior midfielder Thomas Garant, who scored against Manitowoc Lincoln.

“He’s going to be our quarterback. He does a great job of setting the tone for the guys,” O’Brien said.

Senior Cale Theis, who split time at goalkeeper last season, takes over full time this year.

Senior midfielder Neil Schlesinger, O’Brien said, “is an underrated kid. His work rate is outstanding.”

Senior defender Shane McConahy returns after missing part of last season due to injury, as does senior defender Bryce Bertler, who converted from offense last season.

“We’ve got a solid returning crew. I’m just real happy with everyone’s effort, and that includes the newcomers,” O’Brien said.

“We’re just solid. We’re comfortable in the back, comfortable in the middle. If anything, I’ve got a lot of guys who can play different positions.”

The other scores against Manitowoc Lincoln came from Carson Roller and Cody Seitz. Roller added an assist. One goal was an own goal.

Against Sheboygan South, Joe Huebner got the assist on Neitzke’s 35-yard goal.

Theis made some great saves to keep the game a shutout, O’Brien said.

After struggling in the first 20 minutes of the game, O’Brien calmed the team down at halftime.

“We just talked about moving the ball. It’s early, so those are things you have to be reminded about,” he said.

O’Brien praised Garant for winning nearly every ball in the air and his defense — Huebner, McConahy, Bertler, and Sean and Josh Bongiorno — for helping preserve the shutout.

Port opens North Shore Conference play at West Bend East on Thursday, at a Sheboygan South invite on Saturday and at NSC opponent Slinger on Tuesday, Sept. 10.

 

 

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Wisconsin’s largest paid circulation community weekly newspaper. Serving Port Washington, Saukville, Grafton, Fredonia, Belgium, as well as Ozaukee County government. Locally owned and printed in Port Washington, Wisconsin.

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