Broncos Kick Off Season with Undefeated Record

Taylor Smith, Sports Editor

The Wright County boys are undefeated!

After opening their spring season with hard-fought road wins over Iowa Falls-Alden and Ballard early last week, the Wright County Bronco soccer team tied Clear Lake at Lions Field this past Thursday. 

“Their determination, grit, and resilience is amazing,” second-year Head Coach Ethan Krogman told The Wright County Monitor in a recent interview.  “The communication is what has kept this team going.  In the first game against Iowa Falls, we had a total of 23 shots, and none of them until a late penalty kick came through for us.  Did that stop the boys? Absolutely not, they kept their head in the game, kept moving forward, and preserved until they got the result that they deserved.”

Sophomore midfielder Adam Dak had a team-high four shots on goal and scored the first goal of his young varsity career in the 1-0 victory.

Senior goalkeeper Juan Ulises Medina secured eight saves vs. the Cadets.

Less than 24-hours later Tuesday, the Broncos were back on the road for a windy match at Ballard High School. 

Angel Cortes scored Wright County’s first goal off a Jerry Hernandez assist in the 22nd minute of the first half, and freshman forward Jorge Luis Guzman had a score of his own just eight minutes later.

“They cemented their lead for the rest of the game, but also had to endure a very rough and trying second half where we had to hold strong against the wind and relentless offensive pushes from the Ballard team,” Coach Krogman commented.   

Medina added another 14 saves to his season tally, and the Broncos went on to defeat the Ballard Bombers, 2-1.  

The weather wouldn’t be much better Thursday night in Clear Lake, but the artificial turf on Lions Field allowed for the teams to play in the rain. 

An Anir Akdim assist would set Guzman up for Wright County’s only goal of the contest with just a minute remaining in the first half.  Clear Lake’s Ryerson Luyabya scored an equalizer midway through the second, and the two teams tied, 1-1.

Medina had 11 saves for Wright County.

“Overall, no matter whether any of the players on the team gets five or forty minutes, when they’re called upon, they go in and give 100%,” Coach Krogman added.  “They’re willing to give each other their undivided effort and energy until the final buzzer.  I’m excited to be able to watch this team be successful, and cannot wait to see how they carry this success on through the rest of the season.” 

The Broncos were 5-10-2 in Krogman’s first season as head coach last year. 

After a Monday, April 6 home contest vs. Charles City (0-1), the boys will hit the road again for a Thursday night match-up at Webster City (1-0).