Lutheran forwards Noah Rodenburg and Carter Matteson are on the same wavelength.
“A lot of my goals are off his assists and a lot of his goals are off my assists,” Rodenburg said. “It’s been amazing.”
Rodenburg indeed scored all three goals on Matteson assists in a galvanizing 3-2 nonconference win over Pleasant Plains near the end of the regular season.
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And following a 3-0 win over Southeast on Wednesday to improve to 18-4 overall, the duo has combined for 81 goals and 38 assists this season ahead of their Class 1A Riverton Regional semifinal against the No. 6 Hawks on Friday at 6 p.m.
“Honestly I think me and Carter have just been working better together,” Rodenburg said. “In previous years, we’ve kind of been doing it on our own. This year, it’s been a lot more together, working and playing off each other.”
They first paired up at Our Savior’s Lutheran School before spending three years together at Lutheran. Rodenburg, a senior with 37 goals and 16 assists, initially started on the back line as a freshman before joining Matteson, a junior with 44 goals and 22 assists, at the top.
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“It’s been me and him up in that front for three years and every year it feels like we’ve clicked a little bit more and understand where the other is playing,” Matteson said. “That just shows in the numbers. We give each other our own points and that’s just how it goes.”
Lutheran coach David Isham described the tandem as one of the top combinations in the area.
“They just constantly want that ball,” Isham said. “They know how to go to the goal, they’re unselfish and they carry the offensive load for us.”
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They also try to light a fire under their teammates, especially their young defensive back line that includes Rodenburg’s younger brother, Evan. Both Rodenburg and Matteson said their counterparts have stepped up and responded.
“They’ve locked it down most of the year — a lot of shut outs, I’m really proud of them,” Rodenburg said.
Both also duly credited their coaches for their upward trajectory, and Rodenburg said there’s nothing that the team can’t do. Matteson agreed.
“Whatever comes next, we’re ready,” Matteson said.
Tuesday, Oct. 15
No. 9 Arthur-Lovington at No. 8 Effingham St. Anthony, 4 p.m.
No. 11 Robinson at No. 5 Altamont, 4 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 19
No. 2 Teutopolis vs. Game 1 winner, 10 a.m.
No. 3 Staunton vs. Game 2 winner, noon
Tuesday, Oct. 22
Regional championship, 4 p.m.
Winner advances to the North Mac Sectional semifinal against the Riverton Regional winner on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 10 a.m.
TBD
No. 10 Mount Pulaski at No. 8 Argenta-Oreana, TBD
Friday, Oct. 18
No. 1 Williamsville vs. Game 1 winner, 4 p.m.
No. 4 Lutheran vs. No. 6 Riverton, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 22
Regional championship, 5 p.m.
Winner advances to the North Mac Sectional semifinal against the Altamont Regional winner on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 10 a.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 15
No. 10 Vandalia at No. 7 Pana, 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 19
No. 1 Hillsboro vs. Game 1 winner, noon
No. 4 Newton vs. No. 6 Greenville, 2 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 22
Regional championship, 5 p.m.
Winner advances to the North Mac Sectional semifinal against the Carlinville Regional winner on Saturday, Oct. 26 at noon
Wednesday, Oct. 16
No. 9 North Mac at No. 7 Decatur St. Teresa, 5 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 19
No. 2 Pleasant Plains vs. Game 1 winner, 10 a.m.
No. 3 Carlinville vs. No. 5 Raymond Lincolnwood, noon
Wednesday, Oct. 23
Regional championship, 6 p.m.
Winner advances to the North Mac Sectional semifinal against the Hillsboro Regional winner on Saturday, Oct. 26 at noon
Wednesday, Oct. 16
No. 9 Canton at No. 7 Macomb
Saturday, Oct. 19
No. 2 Beardstown vs. Game 1 winner, 10 a.m.
No. 4 Monmouth-Roseville vs. No. 6 Abingdon-Avon, noon
Wednesday, Oct. 23
Regional championship, 6 p.m.
Winner advances to the Chillicothe Illinois Valley Central Sectional semifinal against the Serena Regional winner on Saturday, Oct. 26 at noon
Saturday, Oct. 19
No. 9 Taylorville at No. 8 Macon Meridian, 10 a.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 23
No. 1 Chatham Glenwood vs. Game 1 winner, 4:30 p.m.
No. 4 Rochester vs. No. 6 Warrensburg-Latham, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 26
Regional championship, 10 a.m.
Winner advances to the Warrensburg-Latham Sectional semifinal against the Urbana Regional winner on Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 22
No. 2 Springfield High vs. No. 7 Athens, 4:30 p.m.
No. 3 Sacred Heart-Griffin vs. No. 5 Jacksonville, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 26
Regional championship, 6 p.m.
Winner advances to the Warrensburg-Latham Sectional semifinal against the Charleston Regional winner on Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 4:30 p.m.
TBD
No. 10 East Peoria at No. 8 Lincoln, TBD
Tuesday, Oct. 22
No. 2 Washington vs. Game 1 winner, 4 p.m.
No. 3 Peoria Richwoods vs. No. 5 Morton, 6 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 26
Regional championship, 11 a.m.
Winner advances to the Dunlap Sectional semifinal against the Geneseo Regional winner on Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 6 p.m.
