Team Review: RHS girls’ soccer

There were certainly some highlights for the Rhinelander High School girls’ soccer team this spring. The Hodags didn’t allow a goal in nine consecutive conference games, which allowed them to earn a share of their first Great Northern Conference title since 2018. But, similar to 2024, Rhinelander struggled to get over the hump against higher-caliber teams, which ultimately led to a premature end to what the team had hoped to be a long tournament run, all inside the friendly confines of Mike Webster Stadium.

The end result was a 13-6-0 mark for the Hodags and a 9-1-0 record in the GNC that saw the Hodags advance to the regional final round, but land short of sectionals for the third time in the four seasons. 

Still, coach Nathan Bates said he was proud of what his team accomplished, despite a 2-1 upset loss to Waupaca in the WIAA playoffs.

“We had a really great year with the girls. I’m very, very proud of everything they accomplished this season. And I look forward to seeing with the future brings with this group of kids,” he said. 

Here are five storylines from the recently completed season. 

Early tests

Bates hoped a tough non-conference schedule would prep the team for key games down the stretch this season. 

Rhinelander faced some strong competition early in the season, taking on Division 1 foe Eau Claire North and Division 2 opponent Marshfield in the opening games of the season. Rhinelander also had a game against Division 4 sectional finalist Lake Mills. Those games all ended in losses in which Rhinelander outshot their opponents.

The end result was a 3-3 record for the Hodags prior to entering conference play.

“My whole strategy was we’re going to try to put a lot of really tough pressure on the girls early in the season here to kind of get their mental state of mind to play with tougher, physical faster, teams. They rose to that occasion on both these teams and I think it’s just going to hopefully set them up for later in the year, when it comes to conference play and when it comes to the playoffs.”

Conference win streak

That seemed to work for Rhinelander entering GNC play as it won its first nine conference games, including a 1-0 victory over rival Lakeland in Minocqua April 22 that gave the Hodags a leg up in the conference race. 

Rhinelander didn’t concede a goal in those first nine games — and didn’t even allow a shot on goal in five of them. By the time the Hodags defeated Northland Pines 4-0 on May 22, they had clinched a share of their first conference title since 2018.

“It’s pretty amazing, especially with such a young group of girls, what they’ve accomplished this season already,” Bates said afterward. “I am beyond proud of what they’ve accomplished this year with such a young program, and I couldn’t be prouder and happier for them on what they’ve done. 

Big game struggles

    In this May 29, 2205 file photo, Rhinelander goalkeeper Rylee Mickevicius stops the ball ahead of Lakeland’s Lexi Gindorff and Rhinelander’s June Chiamulera during the first half of a GNC girls’ soccer game at Mike Webster Stadium. Mickevicius, a sophomore, went 12-5-0 in her first year as the starting keeper for the Hodags, posting a 0.89 goals against average and a .741 save percentage. (Bob Mainhardt for the River News)
  

While Rhinelander fared better against teams who stacked the box defensively against them — a problem for its offense in 2024 — the team still had a difficult time finding goals in games against strong teams. 

Though the Hodags ended up with the No. 1 seed in its half of a WIAA regional, they ended up losing at least once to all three teams seeded immediately behind them for the tournament.

That began with a 2-0 loss in early May to former conference foe Ashland. Rhinelander caught a break in seeding, however, because Lakeland defeated the Oredockers 2-0 and the rematch between Rhinelander and Lakeland for the conference title did not take place until after the regional seeding meeting concluded. 

The Hodags needed to only tie Lakeland May 29 to win the GNC title outright but was unable to do so as Lakeland scored off a disputed handball foul in the 42nd minute and added an insurance goal in the 69th to down Rhinelander 2-0 and force a share of the conference title. 

The Hodags outshot Lakeland 21-6 and had a 7-3 edge in shots on goal, but were unable to come away with the victory.

“Somehow, they have a horseshoe that’s hanging around that’s very, very lucky because anybody that watch the game tonight and on the stats on the paper, I mean, we dominated that game and somehow they got one,” Bates said afterward. “I don’t know how. I don’t have an answer for you on that one. God, I don’t want to call it luck, but it’s luck.”

Rhinelander cruised through its opening playoff game against Mosinee, but then ran into fourth-seeded Waupaca in the regional finals. Despite taking the lead in the ninth minute, the Hodags conceded the tying goal in the 27th minute and what proved to be the game-winner in the 42nd in a 2-1 defeat. 

“I felt like we had the better end of the game in the beginning of the match,” Bates said. “It seemed like our girls expelled all of their energy in the first half and they just kind of didn’t have the umph that they had the remainder of the game.” 

Waupaca ended up advancing all the way to the sectional finals after upsetting Ashland in the sectional semifinals. Ashland had knocked off second-seeded Lakeland in the regional finals. 

Statbook

    In this April 10, 2025 file photo, Rhinelander’s Vivian Lamers carries the ball past a pair of Stevens Point defenders during the second half of a non-conference girls’ soccer game at Mike Webster Stadium. Lamers, a sophomore, led the Hodags with 26 goals and 57 total points this spring. (Bob Mainhardt for the River News)
  

Rhinelander had plenty of offensive firepower this season, leading the GNC with 5.1 goals per game in league games and 4.2 goals in all contest. 

Sophomore Vivian Lamers was named GNC co-offensive player of the year, leading the conference with 37 total points in 10 league games. She had 26 goals and five assists overall on the season. Sisters Sophie and Ella Miljevich also received first-team all-conference honors. They were second and third on the team with 49 points (17 goals, 15 assists) and 39 points (11 goals, 13 assists) respectively. 

Rhinelander had six players finish the season with at least 10 points, including sophomore Lindsey Hoerchler (8-8, 24), sophomore Kiley Pooch (5-7, 17) and freshman Jordan Manske (4-2, 10). 

Defensively the Hodags allowed just two goals in GNC play and 17 goals overall —the latter was second-best in the GNC behind Lakeland. Senior Mia Tulowitzky helped to anchor that back line and earned co-defensive player of the year honors. Sophomore June Chiamulera and Becca Brost also earned all-conference honors as part of the defensive unit.

Sophomore Rylee Mickevicius took over the starting goalkeeping duties for the Hodags this year. She went 12-5-0 with a .741 save percentage and a 0.89 goals against average. She had nine shutouts on the year.

What’s next

The Hodags will graduate some key pieces, including Sophie Miljevich, Tulowitzky and all-conference honoree Leah Weigel, but will likely have a strong side again next year. 

The majority of the starters in the lineup were sophomore and Rhinelander will return seven of their top eight scorers from this year. 

“If anybody thinks next year that we’re not going to come back out and be able to put together a heck of a program, they’re going to be mistaken, because we have a lot of talent in a really, really young group of girls that are very hungry and eager,” he said. “I’m really excited to see what they do in the next couple of years.”

Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].