April 25, 2018 at 1:38 p.m.
Hodag soccer returns to winning ways in romp over Newman
Hodag soccer returns to winning ways in romp over Newman
Tuesday, playing at home for the first time this season, things returned to normal for the Hodags.
Rhinelander had four players score a pair of goals each as the Hodags beat Wausau Newman 10-0 at the RHS soccer fields.
The Hodags scored five goals in each half and ended the match roughly 12 minutes from full time on a goal by Emma Hjelle.
"It was really nice to score some goals tonight," coach Dan Millot said. "We scored 10 and probably missed 20 that were good looks that were either skied or missed the net or pushed right to the keeper. Those are things we need to improve on."
A quartet of players who figure to be prevalent in the Hodags' attack each scored twice in the match - Alayna Franson, Anna Sturzl, Kenedy Van Zile and Izzy Haverkampf. Franson added a trio of assists and Brooke Mork scored as well in the contest.
"We had some kids play some good games and step up a bit tonight," Millot said. "Alayna Franson is getting more comfortable at attacking mid. We moved Kenedy Van Zile into a defensive mid role tonight - she also played other roles - and she played very well in a defensive mid role. She'll probably look to play more in that position in future games."
The team did not provide official statistics from the match.
The two Rhinelander keepers fighting for the starting job - freshman Kahlie Arneson and senior Jada Appling - split time again Tuesday, but neither was tested. Millot said neither faced an official shot on goal in the match and the two combined to touch the ball only four times.
"All they did was get cold," Millot said on what was an overcast, windy afternoon at the RHS soccer fields.
It was only the second time this season the Hodags have been able to do any sort of soccer activity on natural grass. The team was able to practice on its field for the first time Monday afternoon after crews cleared most of the snow off of it last week.
Even then there was some question as to whether the non-conference game against Newman would be played. The game was temporarily canceled on Monday morning, but Rhinelander High School rescinded that cancellation by Monday afternoon when it became apparent that field conditions were improving faster than originally anticipated.
Millot said he could tell his team was still getting accustomed to playing outside, following a long stint indoors, despite Tuesday's lopsided result.
"Even thought we didn't execute some things they way I'd like, the thought process is there," he said. "They're actively thinking about what to do and trying to execute different things on the field."
Millot added the lopsided win afforded him the opportunity to extend his bench and play different players in different positions. He said he hopes to do the same in a non-conference match at Antigo tonight.
"We'll play a lot of kids, try to iron some things out and figure out a few positions as we get ready to begin conference play next week," he said.
NOTE: Millot announced that Tuesday night would be assistant coach Sarah Lentini's last night with the team as she prepares to further her own soccer career by playing for Steel City FC (Pittsburgh) in the Women's Premier Soccer League. Millot thanked Lentini for her service and the expertise she brought to the Rhinelander soccer program.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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