FORT MADISON - Senior Night was a reminder to Halle Menke that the clock is ticking on her high school career.
It’s also ticking on the time she’ll get to play with Hadley Wolfe.
“I really don’t want to think about it,” Menke said after Fort Madison’s 5-1 win over Fairfield on Monday night at the Baxter Sports Complex. “It’s been a long time playing with her. I’ve been playing with her my whole life — she’s been on every team I’ve been on.”
The two seniors did their part in the win — Menke gave the Bloodhounds their first goal of the night, and then Wolfe added the next four.
It was something Fort Madison coach Carrie Burken has seen from the two throughout their four seasons.
“They bring such a wealth of knowledge,” Burken said. “They have so much soccer knowledge, so much insight that they can make tactical decisions on the field. I don’t have to say anything, they just make it happen. They’re confident in the decisions they make and they bring a lot of confidence to the team. They’re super-skilled, they make everything work.
“They are the connective tissue of the team.”
The 15th-ranked (Class 2A) Bloodhounds (10-1-1 overall, 8-1-1 Southeast Conference) extended their unbeaten streak to eight matches heading into the final four matches of the regular season.
“I think these next couple of weeks will be huge,” Wolfe said. “It could determine what happens to us in the postseason, so hopefully we can keep playing well.”
Menke blasted a deep shot from the midfield 13 minutes into the match to give the Bloodhounds the early advantage.
“I had a couple of close shots that I didn’t get,” Menke said. “It was a little far, but when I saw it was open I thought, ‘Screw it.’”
“I’m proud of her, because she doesn’t shoot that much,” said Wolfe, who had the assist on the goal. “She needs to keep shooting.”
Menke also had an assist on one of Wolfe’s goals, giving her a team-high 14 for the season. She ranks third in Class 2A in assists.
“She brings a lot,” Wolfe said. “She has such great passing ability and she provides a lot of movement in the midfield.”
Wolfe now has 34 goals on the season, the most in Class 2A and fourth best among all classes.
“I think the main thing that’s working for me is just settling down, working for placement of the ball, working for a good shot,” Wolfe said. “Just taking the time to take the best shot.”
“She’s not pressured,” Burken said. “She’s so at ease, so composed. That’s the sign of a confident goal scorer and that’s where she’s at. And really, that’s where she’s been for the vast majority of the season.”
“She just has a feel for the game, just her skill and everything,” Menke said.
Wolfe scored with 20:19 left in the first half, then added another goal less than nine minutes later. But Fairfield got a goal with 6:20 left in the half, cutting the Bloodhounds’ lead heading into halftime.
“I think it was important for us to get that early lead,” Burken said. “Fairfield came out and they were hungry. I thought they had good tactics against us.”
Fort Madison pushed the lead to 4-1 early in the second half. Reilynn Turnbull was fouled inside the box, and Wolfe took the penalty kick, beating Fairfield goalkeeper Faith Jones on the right side.
Wolfe closed the scoring with a goal with 8:25 to play.
Fort Madison plays at Davenport North on Friday.
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