NEW ULM — The Minnesota Valley Lutheran Chargers faced significant challenges in their nonconference game against the Waseca Bluejays on Saturday, ultimately losing 94-59 at Storm Fieldhouse. A staggering 25 turnovers hindered the Chargers’ ability to maintain momentum throughout the match.
Leading the scoring for the Chargers was Owen Birkholz, who contributed 12 points, while Pierson Brau and Ethan Schauland each added 10 points. Luke Merseth also made contributions with 9 points. On the opposing side, Waseca showcased strong offensive prowess, led by Deron Russell with a remarkable 31 points, supported by Carson Ohnstad with 27 points and Damarius Russell with 14.
Waseca quickly capitalized on MVL’s turnovers, establishing an early double-digit lead. The only time the Chargers led in the game was with a 2-0 score following a field goal by Brau. The initial struggles with turnovers allowed Waseca to embark on a 10-0 run, quickly extending their lead to 12-2. Head coach Craig Morgan was compelled to call multiple timeouts in an attempt to halt the downward spiral, acknowledging the team’s issues with ball control and defensive consistency.
Despite efforts to regroup, the timely adjustments did not yield the desired results as Waseca continued to extend their lead, ultimately leading by 17 points at one stage. The Chargers managed to cut the deficit to 15 briefly with a corner three from Brau, but Waseca responded effectively, ending the first half at 57-33 after benefiting from additional MVL turnovers.
Coach Morgan emphasized the need for improvement not only in player skills but also in team chemistry and philosophy, specifically urging players to recognize better passing opportunities and fostering a tougher defensive approach.
As the second half commenced, Waseca continued to dominate, prompting Morgan to call his final timeout as they stretched their lead to 74-41. Despite the challenges this season, the Chargers are committed to learning and growing, particularly as they face a tough schedule filled with experienced opponents.
With a young roster featuring only two seniors, the team is focused on bridging the gap between junior varsity and varsity play, aiming to cut down on mistakes and improve overall performance.
Looking ahead, the Chargers will face Martin County West on Tuesday night before returning home on Friday to challenge New Ulm Cathedral. This journey offers the team a chance for growth and development as they look to learn from these early-season experiences.
The Chargers’ perseverance in the face of adversity serves as a testament to their commitment to improvement and adaptation in a challenging season.