November 14, 2018 at 12:31 p.m.
Boys' soccer team holds banquet ahead of Millot decision
Boys' soccer team holds banquet ahead of Millot decision
Millot did not specifically mention stepping down Sunday at the RHS boys' soccer team banquet. He informed Rhinelander High School activities director Brian Paulson of the decision Monday afternoon. But Millot may have hinted to the impending decision in his final message to the team.
"For the future, I wish you guys the very best of luck, I do. Some of you guys are going to have to step up. You are," he said.
Millot, who was under the weather and had a raspy voice, let his assistant coaches do much of the talking during Sunday's banquet, but he did take the floor to address the team's 8-6-3 season. Though the Hodags finished above .500, placed third in the GNC and won a WIAA playoff game, Millot said the team failed to reach many of its preseason goals both on and off the field.
"We had so many obstacles to overcome that were self-inflicted this year," he said. "Whether it was grades, athletic code (violations), you name it. It was self-inflicted. Everything, other than injuries, was preventable by us - by us as coaches, by you as players. I hope that this season, especially for you underclassmen, is a learning season.
"We're used to being up here and that's where we want to be. That's where you want to be. This season is a season to learn from our mistakes, our failures. To get up, to face what's in front of us a little bit wiser, a little bit more mature and with a lot more giving than being selfish about our decisions."
Two of Rhinelander High School senior captains were distinguished as the Hodags' most valuable players.
Matthew Von Oepen was named both the team's offensive and overall most valuable player, while goalkeeper Josh Randolph was named the team's defensive MVP in a banquet held at the RHS commons.
The MVP awards, and most of the other awards the team handed out Sunday, were voted on by the players.
Von Oepen led the Great Northern Conference with 20 goals scored and his 44 total points were second in the GNC behind Northland Pines Liam Oas. Von Oepen finished second to Oas in conference offensive player of the year voting.
"Matthew is one of the most passionate guys on this team when it comes to soccer and I would strongly encourage everyone that's here to pick up on that example," assistant coach Richard Kotula said during the banquet. "His passion in his skills, the need to succeed, the need to create something that is beautiful is something that you all need.
"He's patient. He passes when he needs to. He shoots when he needs to. The guy knows the game and the guy also brought four years of great soccer to this program."
Randolph was the last line of defense for a unit which allowed the second-fewest goals in GNC play. He received honorable mention in the GNC as a keeper.
"Josh's work ethic this year was great," Kotula noted. "He saved two critical PKs, one of them was against D.C. Everest, a great save which helped us win the game."
Another key member of the defense, senior Anthony Kowalski, was voted the team's most improved player. Playing in only his second season of organized soccer, Kowalski developed a knack for putting the breaks on opponents' scoring chances with his speed.
"You could just see how this guys saved our butts multiple times with his speed and the mentality of knowing what to do in this game," Kotula said. "It's Anthony's only second year playing soccer. He started as a forward, created multiple scoring opportunities with his runs and then coach Millot made a really nice adjustment to put him on the defensive side where he just excelled, preventing players from scoring opportunities ... Having that kind of player, playing just two years of soccer and excelling this way is really wonderful."
Sophomore Hugh Wiese was voted the team's Mr. Hustle, junior Nicholas St. Pierre won the sportsmanship award and senior Hunter Hicks won the team's Hodag Strong character award.
Russell Benoy won the lone award not voted on by the team - the academic excellence award, which is presented to the senior player with the highest cumulative grade point average. Millot noted during the banquet that Benoy currently ranks second overall in the RHS class of 2019.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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