June 3, 2021 at 8:35 a.m.
Ashland runs over Hodags, 5-0
Ashland runs over Hodags, 5-0
Down 2-0 until late, the Hodags conceded a late batch of goals to fall to the Oredockers 5-0 Tuesday night at Mike Webster Stadium.
The result was similar to a 7-0 loss at Ashland May 18 that saw the Hodags concede four goals over the final 20 minutes. Coach Nathan Bates said, once again, it was the result of the Hodags making a last-ditch effort to generate some offense against the fifth-ranked (Division 3) Oredockers.
"We were down two and, honestly, we probably could have held them the rest of the game, but we had to try to get some sort of offensive attack going," he said. "So, instead of having a more defensive formation, I switched it up with 20 minutes just to try to get something going there. We tried. That's all you can so. End result, if it's 2-0 or 5-0, it's still a loss.
"The girls played tough. They had a great game. All and all, they gave 100% the whole game. They never quit playing. That's all I can ask out of the team. Ashland's a monster and we knew that going into this game."
Haillee Wilson opened up the scoring in the 14th minute and Maddie Clevette added a tally in the 26th minute as the Oredockers took a 2-0 lead to halftime.
"Our defense gave them a little too much room on the one, gave her enough for a beautiful shot that she had," Bates said. "They've got (Abbi) Moreland out there and they've got Wilson and they're deadly in the midfield. They make beautiful runs and beautiful crosses. We knew exactly what to expect and they didn't disappoint."
It stayed that way until the 81st minute as Rhinelander switched to a 4-3-3 formation in an effort to crank up the offensive pressure. Hannah Bochler sent a shot in off a corner kick that Rhinelander keeper Kahlie Arneson saved, but the ball slipped through her hands and Alex Pieterek was there on the back post for a rebound that made it 3-0. Sienna Mika then found space about 15 yards from goal off a corner kick in the 83rd minute to make it 4-0 and Wilson rounded out the scoring with one more tally in the 86th minute.
Ashland dominated play, outshooting Rhinelander 48-2 in the contest. Both of Rhinelander's shots were on goal. The Hodags' best look came in the 68th minute as Ella Schiek put Annalyse Schoppe on a run through the middle of the Ashland defense, but keeper Taylor Sprague was able to corral the ball at the top of the 18 about a step ahead of Schoppe.
"Ashland, they've got a great midfield and a great offensive line up top. It's hard to get anything through on them," Bates said.
Arneson made 23 saves in defeat for the Hodags, many of the highlight-reel variety, as the senior keeper faced a barrage of pressure most of the night.
"She had a beautiful night again," Bates said. "Kahlie, in my opinion, the stats aren't showing it but she's the best in the conference in my opinion. She's a great goalkeeper and it's going to be a big loss for us next season. She did a great job."
Ashland (14-1-1, 8-0-0-0 Great Northern) clinched a share of the GNC title with the win and was poised to win the conference outright with any result other than a regulation loss Thursday night at Lakeland.
Rhinelander (4-6-1, 3-4-1-0 Great Northern) concluded the regular season at home Thursday night against Northland Pines in a match that concluded after deadline for today's edition. The Hodags will begin WIAA tournament play this coming Tuesday. Rhinelander received the No. 3 seed in Wednesday night's seeding meeting and will host sixth-seeded Baraboo at Mike Webster Stadium.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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