May 13, 2021 at 11:38 a.m.
Late goal sinks RHS soccer vs. Kingsford
Late goal sinks RHS soccer vs. Kingsford
Erika Malone's breakaway goal in the 87th minute was the difference as Kingsford edged a short-handed Hodag side 1-0 in a non-conference contest at Mike Webster Stadium.
Arneson dazzled with 16 saves for the Hodags, including several on Kingsford breakaway chances, but the Flivvers had the late answer. Malone split the Rhinelander central defense off a through ball by Maria Fornetti and dribbled in 1 on 0 against Arneson. Malone maneuvered slightly to her left and slipped a ball past a diving Arneson, who had come out to near the penalty spot to challenge the shot.
"They had a lot of opportunities. All the defensive players back there really stuck it out and Kahlie had some big saves," Rhinelander coach Nathan Bates said. "Kahlie had a heck of a game. She made some big saves back there. In my opinion, that's why she's the best goalie in the conference."
Already down arguably their fastest player in McKenna Brown due to injury, the Hodag attack suffered another significant blow in the 23rd minute of Monday's match. Ella Schiek - who had scored eight times in the Hodags' first three games - was shaken up with an apparent knee injury following a collision with a Kingsford play and did not return to the game.
With the Hodags down two of their top offensive players, Kingsford controlled possession and most of the match, outshooting Rhinelander 45-11 overall.
"We had a hard time getting some runs moving up top because we're missing two of the key players for our offense. Ella got hurt pretty quick into the game and McKenna's still out," Bates said. "We had to adjust on the fly and rearrange things. That's always tough to do. The girls did a good job of readjusting. We tried to readjust throughout the game to make some things happen. We had some opportunities and just didn't capitalize on them."
After the game Bates said it was too soon to tell if Schiek's injury would result in an extended absence from the lineup.
Rhinelander managed only six shots on goal in the match. Eleanor Steffen had Rhinelander's best look in the 58th minute on a hard shot from roughly 15 yards out that was denied by Kingsford keeper Alyssa Englund. Ava Lamers nearly snuck through for a breakaway chance for Rhinelander in the 82nd minute, but defender Christina Englund denied the chance near the top of the 18.
Otherwise most of the night was defined by Arneson stopping chance after chance by the speedy forward and wing combo of Malone, Fornetti and Megan Bittinger - as well as long-range attempts by strong-legged midfielders Taylor DeMay and Brooke Bittinger. Arneson made a diving save on a Brooke Bittinger free kick in the 79th minute and then stopped a chance by Megan Bittinger on the back post of the ensuing corner kick.
"Kahlie and the whole defensive line was absolutely tough today," Bates said. "Today was a defensive game. We had a couple opportunities that we didn't capitalize on and that was the end of the story there. Kingsford had a great team. Their passing and possession of the ball was fantastic."
Rhinelander (2-1-1, 1-0-1-0 Great Northern) returns to action tonight at home against Antigo. The game was originally scheduled for last night in the Hodag Dome due to a conflict with a home track meet, but the teams agreed to move the game to tonight, so they could play outside and not have to wear masks - which would have been a requirement if the game was played inside the dome due to district COVID-19 protocols.
Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Mike Webster Stadium.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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