PHS dominates All-EWC first team

The Plymouth Panthers dominated the 2009 All-Eastern Wisconsin Conference boys soccer first team with four picks.

PHS, which won the EWC title for an impressive sixth straight season and ninth in the last 10 years, is the only team with more than one first-team player. The Panthers finished 13-0-1 in the league and outscored the opposition by an incredible 89-6, including eight shutouts.

The Panthers’ first-team selections, as voted on by the league coaches, are senior midfielders Max Gatyas and Zach Schroeder, senior defender Ryan Klecka and junior forward Zach Fohr. Schroeder was a second-team pick last year.

Earning second-team honors for PHS are senior midfielder Marcus Adams and junior goalkeeper Jon Hintz. Panther junior defender Brad Mallmann was named honorable mention.

Gatyas, a PHS team captain, scored 15 goals and had seven assists in conference play this year.

“Max was a team leader and a playmaker from the attacking midfield position,” said Panther head coach Bruce McMyler.

“He was the best ball handler, dribbler and passer on the team. Schroeder contributed four goals and five assists.

“Zach is a big, strong player and a physical presence in the center of the field,” McMyler pointed out. “He has a good first touch [on the ball] and a very good passing touch.”

Fohr led the Panthers in EWC goals and assists with 19 each.

“He is the best natural forward since 2002 [in PHS boys soccer],” said McMyler who began coaching at PHS in 2000. “He can create a shot off his own possession.”

Fohr set a school record for the most assists in a season with 23 and his 30 goals are the most by a Panther in one year since 2002.

Klecka, who spearheaded the Panthers’ stingy defense, had four goals and one assist in EWC action. He was voted the team’s most valuable player this past season.

“Ryan was our best sweeper since 2002. He’s fast, aggressive and smart,” the coach said. “He was our defensive leader and a great passer. He took all of our penalty kicks.”

Adams, a team captain, scored seven goals and had six assists.

“Marcus was the best distance runner on the team and had great stamina. He’s a left-footed outside midfielder and took most of our corner kicks,” McMyler noted.

Hintz was rock-solid in the goal – recording seven shutouts and 38 saves in 11 EWC matches. He surrendered only four goals.

“Jon was technically outstanding. He made great decisions and was always in proper position,” McMyler pointed out.

“He reads shooters well, shows good leadership and is always talking to the defenders.”

Mallmann, who played the stopper position (defensive midfielder), contributed two goals and five assists.

“Brad is a tenacious defender and was nonstop all over the defensive half of the field. He has a great first touch and always makes good decisions,” the coach noted.

There were no first-team repeaters this year.
All-Eastern Wisconsin
Conference Boys Soccer
FIRST TEAM
Forwards
Zach Matznick, Kiel………………..……..….Sr.
Marc Popp, New Holstein……….……......Sr.
Zach Fohr, Plymouth….…..………….…...Jr.
Dan Duda, Sheboygan Falls………….…..Sr.
Midfielders
Max Gatyas, Plymouth…………...….…..Sr.

Zach Schroeder, Plymouth…….……....Sr.
Nathan Brown, Sheboygan Falls…….....Sr.
Casey Johnson, Waupun………..….………Sr.
Defenders
Ryan Klecka, Plymouth……………..…...Sr.
Josh Kimmes, Two Rivers………………….Sr.
Goalkeeper
Alex Walsdorf, Kiel.….……………..…….....Sr.
SECOND TEAM
Forwards
Caleb Olla, Kewaskum…………….………..Sr.
Brandon Riesterer, Kiel……………………..Jr.
David Thor, Two Rivers…………..…………So.
Midfielders
Jacob Kornetzke, Kiel……………….……...Sr.
Derek Diefenthaler, New Holstein……..Sr.
Marcus Adams, Plymouth…….………...Sr.
Ricky Haase, Sheboygan Falls……….....Sr.
Defenders
Sam Walber, Kiel…………………………..….Sr.
Broc Keifenheim, New Holstein………...Sr.
Goalkeepers
Jon Hintz, Plymouth……………….…..…..Jr.
Taylor Schultz, Waupun………….…..…….Sr.
HONORABLE MENTION
Forwards
Parker Peterson, Campbellsport………..Sr.
Lewis Halverson, Sheboygan Falls……..Sr.
Reid VandeSlunt, Waupun…………..…….Sr.
Midfielders
Pat Kelley, Campbellsport…………………Sr.
Riley Gaynor, Kewaskum……….…….……Sr.
Mitch Meyer, Kiel………………………….….Sr.
Ambrose Lisowe, New Holstein…..…....So.
Defenders
Tim Twohig, Campbellsport.…….…….....Sr.
Tony Christel, Kiel…………….………….…...Sr.
Brad Mallmann, Plymouth……….……...Jr.
David Bimmel, Sheboygan Falls………...Sr.
Mitch Thimmig, Sheboygan Falls………..Jr.
Goalkeepers
Mike Hermann, Sheboygan Falls..….....Sr.
Michael Werner, Two Rivers.….…….......S_r_. _________________________