RHS Sports recap: Thursday, May 30

Girls’ soccer: Rhinelander 3, Shawano 1

The Rhinelander High School girls’ soccer team overcame an early miscue to defeat Shawano 3-1 Thursday night in the WIAA regional semifinals at Mike Webster Stadium.

After spotting the Hawks an own goal in the 20th minute off a misplayed clearance attempt by a Hodag defender, Rhinelander used set pieces to tie the game and ultimately take the lead. Rhinelander scored all three of its goals off of Sophie Miljevich corner kicks.

Mia Tulowitzky deflected home the first, knotting the game at 1 just before halftime. Lindsey Hoerchler put the Hodags ahead off a corner in the 60th minute and Ella Miljevich gave the Hodags insurance just two minutes later. 

Rhinelander outshot Shawano 36-10 in the match. Mya Krouze made four saves in the win. 

The Hodags (12-2-4) will travel to Lakeland for the regional finals on Saturday. Lakeland defeated Mosinee 4-0 on Thursday. Kickoff is slated for 5 p.m.

Boys’ tennis: Belanger/Fritz advance at D1 state tournament

Seniors Joey Belanger and Dalton Fritz held off Wauwatosa West’s Connor Reynolds and Travis Wagy in a 7-6 (6), 3-6, 10-7 marathon Thursday during the opening round of the WIAA D1 doubles state meet in Madison. 

The win marked the second straight year that Belanger has advanced to the second round at state. The Hodag pair moved to 21-5 on the season and will face 13th-seeded Andrew Werner and Brady Hildreth from Neenah Friday morning in the round of 32.

Full reports will be published in Tuesday’s River News.