May 1, 2023 at 8:08 a.m.
Soccer: Lakeland deals blow to Hodags' GNC title hopes
Soccer: Lakeland deals blow to Hodags' GNC title hopes
Taylor Heleniak scored on a breakaway in the 32nd minute. That proved to be the lone scoring as Lakeland knocked off Rhinelander 1-0 at IncredibleBank Field in a matchup of the conference's two remaining unbeaten teams.
Lakeland (6-1-0, 4-0-0 Great Northern) had the better of play much of the night, outshooting Rhinelander 27-13. Hodag coach Nathan Bates said Thursday night's result boiled down to a matter of Rhinelander (5-3-0, 3-1-0 Great Northern) getting caught up in Lakeland's style of play, rather than focusing on its own brand of soccer.
"They kicked the ball down the field as hard as they can and they run for the ball," Bates said. "They're not a passing team. We fell for their game. Our girls didn't show up tonight like they have been. We weren't on our game and it was just a bad night all around by, honestly, the majority of the team."
That style of kick and chase soccer led to a few breakaway chances in the first half, ones that were either stopped by Rhinelander keeper Mya Krouze or finished off target. That changed in the 32nd minute.
Alyson Lazaroff found space in the midfield and boomed the ball upfield to Heleniak, who beat center defender Emma Chiamulera in a footrace to the ball just inside the 18. Heleniak then passed one under Krouze, who had come out to challenge the shot, and slipped the ball inside the right post for what proved to be the decisive goal.
"You knew eventually they were going to get one due to the way my defense was playing," Bates said. "My defense wasn't doing what they were supposed to. They weren't playing back like we talked about. They weren't following the game plan back there. We knew that was exactly what they were going to do ... We had an off night and Lakeland had the better end of the game. They finally got one of their big kicks down the field and they capitalized on one."
The Hodags had a few chances inside the 18 on the night, but most were either gobbled up by keeper Ava Evenhouse or cleared away by a Lakeland defender before Rhinelander could get a clean shot off.
Rhinelander's best chance to equalize the game came in the 68th minute as Sophie Miljevich sent a cross into the box that Morgan Van Zile redirected inside of 10 yards from goal. However, Evenhouse was able to partially block the shot and cover up the loose ball before it crossed the goal line.
The Hodags finally started applying some consistent offensive pressure over the final 20 minutes but, by then, it was too late.
"We started getting some stuff together and started playing a little better but, by that time, it was too late for the game," Bates said. "Toward the end of the game we were playing better. If we would have came out and started that way, the end result would have been different tonight."
Senior Ava Lamers was held scoreless for only the second time this season, both of which have resulted in shutout losses for the Hodags. Apart from some long-range chances, she was neutralized by the Lakeland midfield and, overall, Bates said the team's possession game was non-existent on Thursday.
"Our girls played, honestly, slow," he said. "We weren't checking to the ball. We weren't moving. We didn't communicate. There were a number of things tonight we weren't doing. That's basically what it was. If we were able to play our pass and possession game, they wouldn't have been able to capitalize on what they were doing tonight."
The Hodags managed only five shots on goal in the match. Krouze stopped nine shots in defeat for Rhinelander.
If there's any consolation, the Hodags can look back as recently as last year to know they are not out of the conference title race. Rhinelander won the first meeting against Lakeland last season, also at home by a 1-0 decision, but was taken to penalty kicks later in the year by Northland Pines and then lost the rematch to Lakeland to lose the conference title by a point.
The Hodags return to GNC play tonight on the road at Mosinee.
"We're going to go out, one game at a time," Bates said. "The girls, if they show up, we're hard to beat. We're going to put this one behind us and we'll see them again in a couple of weeks."
The Hodags still somewhat control their conference destiny but - barring any Lakeland slip-ups - will need to win their final six conference games in regulation to claim at least a share of the conference title. The rematch between the Hodags and the T-Birds will take place May 19 in Rhinelander.
"We've just got to come out and play our game," Bates said when asked what needs to change for the Hodags in the rematch. "That's all we have to do. If we would have played like we normally have been, it would have been a different outcome in my opinion. Nothing needs to change. We've just got to play the way we know how to play."
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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