September 16, 2020 at 12:13 p.m.
RHS soccer downs Antigo 4-0 in opener
RHS soccer downs Antigo 4-0 in opener
Sophomore Shane Petrick scored twice and the Hodags dominated the Antigo Red Robins in a 4-0 victory at Mike Webster Stadium.
Rhinelander scored three times in the first 26 minutes and cruised from there while the defense prevented Antigo from recording a single shot in the match.
"The boys came out strong," coach Nathan Bates said. "Our passing was on. The kids were moving the ball very well as a team, communication was very well tonight. Obviously, the first game, a little ring rust there, but all and all not to much of it.
"Our defense was strong and the offense just clicked tonight. Hopefully we can carry out throughout the season the way we did tonight and just keep improving off of that."
There was some question as to where the scoring would come from for a Hodag side that was fifth in the six-team Great Northern Conference in offense a season ago. Senior Hugh Wiese, the team's leading scorer from last season, recorded a goal and an assist. Petrick scored his first two varsity goals and junior Beau Howard tacked on a goal and an assist.
Bates called those three, along with junior midfielder Tucker Frederickson, "a deadly group."
"We've got a lot of speed. We've got a lot of footwork and just a lot of intensity," he said. "They work super well together. Hopefully they continue to click like that and everyone stays healthy." The Hodags got on the board in the 15th minute by forcing an Antigo mistake on a clearance by keeper Cordell Umland. Petrick partially blocked the kick out of the box, which caromed to Wiese on the right flank roughly 30 yards from goal. Wiese did the rest with a shot to the top left corner that gave the Hodags a 1-0 lead.
Wiese and Petrick hooked up again in the 19th minute as Wiese got the ball at midfield and slotted a ball through the middle of the defense to put Petrick on a breakaway. Petrick dribbled to about 10 yards before beating Umland through his legs.
Petrick was there again for a finish in the 26th minute. It came on a perfectly-placed cross by Howard from the right side of the box on to Petrick's left foot from six yards out.
The Hodags, who amassed 41 shots and 19 shots on goal, attacked from all angles on Tuesday.
"We've been telling them we can't be a one-dimensional team," Bates said. "We've been trying to change it up, work the middle and work the sides. I've got attackers on the outside that are strong and I've got them in the middle. We're going to utilize all areas."
Howard capped off the scoring for the Hodags in the 54th minute as he gathered in a loose ball at the top of the 18, dribbled in and tucked a shot just underneath the crossbar from 10 yards away.
Meanwhile it was a very quiet night for Rhinelander junior goalkeeper Gavin Ostermann, who was not tasked with making any saves in the victory. He handled the ball only a few times during the match as the defensive unit anchored by Joseph Heck, Charlie Heck, Alex Huff and Billy Berwig kept the pressure at bay.
Berwig, one of only three seniors on the Hodags' squad, was named late last week as the fourth starter in the back along with three returning all-conference recipients.
"Billy Berwig did a fantastic job. He didn't play the game for quite some time, but he's sure stepped it up," Bates said. "He's aggressive. He's got speed. He's doing a great job. Billy's going to be the fourth member back there."
The Hodags were set to face a more stern test last night as they welcomed defending GNC co-champion Medford to Mike Webster Stadium. The Raiders won their season opener 3-0 over last season's other conference co-champ, Northland Pines, on Tuesday.
Rhinelander heads to Three Lakes this evening for a non-conference matchup and will play a home-and-home series with Northland Pines next week.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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