August 23, 2017 at 4:03 p.m.
Hodags blanked by Ashland in opener
Hodags blanked by Ashland in opener
With a number of new pieces in the starting 11, coach Dan Millot said Tuesday's game was a feeling out process for his Hodag side, which was shut out for the first time since Oct. 6, 2015.
"We just were not sharp today," Millot said. "Field conditions were windy and kind of long grass and we just didn't connect the percentage of passes that we needed today. We tried to force some things but, at the same time, we were trying to put some players in different positions and see how they would react in different positions."
The Hodags enter the year looking to replace roughly half of their offensive production from a season ago, following the graduation of Gunnar Millot and Reeve Craig. The offense was down another key player Tuesday as junior Jonus Sabani, who scored 18 goals in 2016, was unable to play due to a family commitment.
"When you have a threat like that, it always makes it difference," Millot said. "That was definitely a factor. I wouldn't say it was the only factor. We had opportunities to finish and we didn't finish."
Ashland had an 11-9 edge in shots on goal and was able to finish at opportune moments into the second half when Larson put in a rebound following a Casey Hilts' shot off the crossbar.
"We weren't there to clear it," Millot said. "The ball bounced off the crossbar and one of their players was standing all by himself at about the top of the 18 and because (goalkeeper) Josh (Randolph) had gone to save the ball and it hit the crossbar so fast, it just came right to the kid's feet and he shot it where Josh wasn't. It was just an unfortunate situation."
Millot said Rhinelander picked up the intensity, especially over the final 15 minutes of the match, but was unable to net the equalizer.
In addition to figuring out the offense, Tuesday was Rhinelander's first live-action opportunity to figure out who would take over at outside defender. Millot said he defense played "all right," as it try to roll several players through at outside back.
"We have some work to do on our positioning," Millot said. "Darin Bloomquist and Nick St. Pierre started at our outside back positions. They were subbed for by Russell Benoy and Ryan Roberts. It was, for Nick and for Ryan, basically their first time in that position and I believe they did it to the best of their ability today, based on what they knew, but we're going to have to do it better in the future."
Randolph made 10 saves in the loss for Rhinelander, which committed nine fouls and took two corner kicks, compared to one foul and seven corners for the Oredockers.
"They definitely had more set pieces than we did ... It was a little bit lopsided that way and that's unfortunate, but it is what it is," Millot said. "They have some nice players and they worked hard. I think they worked a little bit harder than we did for a lot of the game. We had a lot of intensity late in the second half. I just wish that intensity was there the entire game, but it wasn't today."
The Hodags traveled to Stevens Point Wednesday for a scrimmage and will kick off the two-day Hodag Invite Friday at the Hanson Lake Soccer Complex. Rhinelander plays Ironwood, Mich. at noon to kick off the tournament Friday and will play Wausau East and Iron Mountain, Mich. Saturday.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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