Gretzinger’s late goal lifts Hodag soccer over Medford

Though both sides feature brand new starting 11s, the close, hard-fought rivalry between Rhinelander and Medford continued on Tuesday night.

Will Gretzinger scored in the 70th minute to break the deadlock and the Hodags went on to beat the Raiders 1-0 in the Great Northern Conference opener at Mike Webster Stadium.

Rhinelander goalkeeper Barak Rappley made three stops in his second shutout of the season, including one on a first-half penalty kick, as the Hodags prevailed in a battle of two of the top teams in the GNC a season ago.

“It was close. There were some nerve-wracking moments there,” Hodag coach John Weigel said. “They’re a tough team again this year. All these conference games I think are going to be close.”

Gretzinger was in position to take advantage of a defense gaffe late in the second half. Neil Weigel sent a ball from the edge of the Hodag defensive third deep up the middle of the field. The pass took one hop by a Raider defender who misplayed the ball and Gretzinger was able to catch up to it in stride, converting a 1-on-0 breakaway for the lone score of the match. 

When asked about the goal, coach Weigel focused on the chances Rhinelander was unable to capitalize on earlier in the match. The Hodags finished with 14 total shots but put only one on frame in the second half — Gretzinger’s winner. 

“We had some opportunities, some more things we need to work on, clean up a little bit,” he said. I think we had some places we could have kind of attacked them a little bit better than what we did but, all and all, I’m pleased with the boys again. 

“We’ve got to finish. I’d like to see a couple more shots. I think we hold on to the ball a little long some times. A couple more shots, just putting that ball on frame and I think we’ll get some more goals to drop.”

The goal prevented what has become a common occurrence between Rhinelander and Medford over the last few seasons — a penalty kick shootout. Three of the teams’ previous four matches, dating back to the 2021 WIAA tournament had ended in shootouts. 

    Rhinelander goalkeeper Barak Rappley stops a penalty kick by Medford’s Adyn Gripentrog during the first half of a GNC boys’ soccer game at Mike Webster Stadium Tuesday, Aug. 29. (Bob Mainhardt for the River News)
  

Tuesday’s game might have gone there too if not for a key stop on a penalty in the 27th minute. Medford’s Oliver Koffler was sandwiched between defenders and taken down on a Neil Weigel slide tackle inside the penalty area, resulting in a penalty kick. Medford’s Adyn Gripentrog took the shot and sought a spot low just inside the right post. Rappley beat him to the spot, knocked the ball away and eventually covered the loose ball to end the threat. 

“It was huge for Barak, huge for our team,” coach Weigel said. “That pumps you up when you get it. PKs are hard to stop. There’s a low percentage on stopping them. When you get one, it really does boost the team. It was a great save. He chose the right way and kept it 0-0 there.”

Medford, which had 11 shots in the match, had plenty of other chances to score. Grant Neubauer misfired wide left after coming free on a throw in moments before the penalty kick. Rappley denied Michael Meyer’s skipping shot from just outside the 18 on a free kick in the 34th minute and Neubauer missed wide left again on a look around the 6 in the 39th minute as the teams went to halftime tied 0-0.

The Raiders were unable to get shots on goal on a couple of key corner kick chances in the second half. 

Rhinelander (2-1-0, 1-0-0-0 Great Northern) traveled to Antigo Thursday in a game that concluded after press time for today’s edition. The team will return to action next Thursday night at home against Lakeland. 

Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].