December 21, 2020 at 8:14 a.m.
Northern Edge splits games against Medford, Hayward
Northern Edge splits games against Medford, Hayward
Coach Tom Roeser said both games were an improvement for the Edge, which was blown out on the road last Tuesday, 10-0 by Wisconsin Valley Union.
Roeser noted that, in his opinion, Hayward was just as strong, if not better than Wisconsin Valley Union.
"They were strong. I think they give Valley Union all they can handle and then some," he said. "Obviously our scores don't reflect that, but I think we played a lot better today, too. We attacked the puck better. We blocked a lot of shots today, which is a big deal.
The Hurricanes struck first in Saturday's game. Kennedy Sprenger scored twice for Hayward, including the opening goal 3:05 into the opening period. She scored again 6:18 into the second and Summer Hamman added a goal at the 14-minute mark to give the Hurricanes a 3-0 lead following two periods.
Callie Johnson got the Edge on the board in the third period. The Lakeland senior scored at the 7:12 mark to cut the lead to two goals, but the Edge got no closers and Brooke Brennan popped an insurance goal for the Hurricanes with 4:41 remaining.
"We played with them the first period. I thought we had a bad second period but the third period, I thought we outplayed them and played a lot faster game," Roeser said. "We had a couple of flurries like that in front of their net where we just couldn't get the puck to drop, but we were working hard on rebounds and banging on that puck."
Hayward outshot the Edge 40-19 in the contest. Lakeland sophomore Kristina Kunelius, making her fourth start in net for the injured Ellie Stank, recorded 36 saves.
"They created a lot of traffic in front of the net. Some of those shots she didn't even see, but we were fortunate enough that she was in the right place at the right time," Roeser said. "Once again, we need to clear those girls out in front of our goalie."
Edge 10, Medford 0
The Edge had little trouble with Medford Thursday night in Antigo, erupting for six goals in the second period en route to a 10-0 victory.
Antigo senior Emily Kassler had a hat trick, including the Edge's lone goal in first period. The floodgates broke open early in the second, however, as the Edge scored four times in the first 5:34.
"We talked between the first two (periods) and just said we need to get more patient," Roeser said. "They're giving us plenty of room out there, but we're always forcing something. They started setting things up, making some nice passes, setting up below the net, finding the open people in front. That goalie, she makes a lot of saves and does a really good job for them. If we wanted to score, we had to get her moving and we did. We got her moving and we got some stuff past her."
Seven different players scored the Edge's first seven goals. Kassler's first tally came 11:33 into the first, then Lakeland senior Kate Vizanko scored at the 1:06 mark of the first. Antigo freshman MacKenzie Wissbroecker recorded her first varsity goal at the 2:15 mark of the second, followed by a tally from Lakeland senior Izzy Boyer at the 4:07 mark.
Rhinelander sophomore Maddi Roeser scored at the 5:34 mark to make it 5-0, followed by a Maria Gironella tally on a breakaway at the 8:32 mark. Johnson tacked on one more at the 15:30 mark to give the Edge a 7-0 lead after two periods.
Gironella, a Lakeland sophomore, added another goal in the third period, bookended by a pair of unassisted tallies by Kassler to round out the scoring.
"She found a different gear tonight," Roeser said of Kassler. "She's been out with a shoulder injury and I felt like she had been nursing it. Tonight, she came out of her shell a little bit and I'm excited for her. I think she found a different speed to play at and she looked great. I hope that continues for her."
The Edge outshot Medford 51-3 in the contest.
Up next, the Edge (3-4-0) will play its final game before the holiday break this evening as it hosts Bay Area in Antigo.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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