HARTLAND, Wis. — Beloit Memorial is building a strong case to be considered one of the top boys soccer teams in Wisconsin. Thursday night, the Purple Knights battled No. 1-ranked Hartland Arrowhead to a 1-1 tie on the road.

The Warhawks are the top-ranked team according to the Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association poll and are ranked number 21 in the nation according to the US Soccer Coaches Association poll.

“It was a great game from start to finish,” Beloit head coach Brian Denu said. “Both teams played really well and had moments where they dominated the flow of the game.”

Both teams finished with three shots on goal.

After a scoreless first half, Arrowhead struck first in the 42nd minute off a header on a corner kick. Returning First Team All-State midfielder Brody Newton did the honors for the Warhawks.

“It was a beautifully placed ball and not much any of our defenders could do about it,” Denu said.

Beloit tied it in the 63rd minute when it won a free kick about 45 yards outside of its attacking goal. Banks Denu played a long ball into the box that found the head of Manny Giles who redirected it past a frozen goalkeeper to tie the game.

Both teams would have chances to score in the final 17 minutes but it remained 1-1. Arrowhead had a free kick just outside the box with 17 seconds left. Beloit’s Paco Rebolledo made a great diving save to preserve the tie.

“Our back line of Jesse Chavez, Manny Giles, Brandon, Aragon and Angel Aguilar played outstanding defense against the team that didn’t have less than three goals in any of their matches so far this year,” Denu said. “I think this result shows the boys that they can compete with anybody at any day when they work together as a team.”

Source: Beloit Daily News