Hodag soccer closes gap on Lakeland in 4-1 loss

The Rhinelander High School boys’ soccer team played a more competitive game the second time around against Lakeland Tuesday night, but it was not enough for the Hodags to catch the GNC-leading Thunderbirds.

Lakeland scored twice in each half and pulled away to a 4-1 victory over Rhinelander at IncredibleBank Field in Minocqua. 

While Lakeland (10-0-1, 8-0-0-0 GNC), according to multiple sources, was down a handful of starters on Tuesday, the Hodags (0-10-2, 0-5-1-0 GNC) were more competitive and able to find the back of the net for the third time in their last four contests, after failing to score in any of their first eight games.

“To be honest, it should’ve been a lot closer,” Hodag coach John Vojta said. “We can play with them, we just can’t execute all aspects of the game and until we learn that, we’re always going to be on this side of it. Still, I asked Lakeland’s coach (Ihor Myshchyshyn), though, and he agrees. We are getting better. so that’s the most important thing to me.”

Ultimately, Rhinelander allowed Lakeland to get too many open looks in the match, which proved costly. The T-Birds jumped on the board in the opening minute as Will Kimball hit a streaking Jayden Schilling into the box. Schilling outmaneuver the last Hodag defender and fired a hard shot past keeper Eric Parish.

It was nearly a carbon copy in the 35th minute, however it was Ethan Seeliger this time from Connor Erickson from near the PK spot to give the T-Birds a 2-1 lead at half. 

Isaiah Reimer took advantage of a misplayed pass by Rhinelander’s Dean Gillingham back toward Parish, intercepting it at the top of the 18 for a one-touch finish in the 49th minute. Michael Melka rounded out the Lakeland scoring in the 73rd minute on a shot from the top of the 18 that went through Parish’s hands and into the back of the net. 

Lakeland outshot Rhinelander 34-4 in the match and put 23 shots on goal. Parish made 19 saves in defeat.

“He played an outstanding game. He had one slip through his hands at the end, but you know, I can’t blame him,” Vojta said. “The kid, I know at one point I asked, he had over 19 saves and there was still a good chunk of the game left. He played outstanding. And quite honestly, when we got beat was on through balls and breakaways or we gave it to their attacker who came in on a breakaway. When you’re one-on-one with the keeper, the forwards should usually win most of those battles.”

    Rhinelander’s Owen Evers attempts a penalty kick during first half of a GNC boys’ soccer game against Lakeland in Minocqua Tuesday, Sept. 30. Evers converted the kick, scoring his second goal of the season. (Brett LaBore/Lakeland Times)
  

Owen Evers scored his second goal of the season as he converted a penalty kick in the 18th minute for Rhinelander. It came after Lakeland’s Brady Wolfe was called for a handball foul in the box while trying to defend a cross intended for Rhinelander’s Asher Rivord. Evers got Lakeland keeper Talan Pockat to lean toward the near post before passing the ball the other way into an empty half of the net. 

Evers is now 3 for 3 on penalty kick chances this year — scoring two in regulation and one as part of a shootout win at Medford last month.

“He just picks the corner and puts it away. And again, he answered the task or has never a doubt in my mind. So he did a heck of a job finishing it,” Vojta said. 

Evers’ tally was the only shot on goal recorded by the Hodags, according to stats kept by the team.

Rhinelander traveled to Mosinee Thursday in a game that concluded after press time for today’s edition. The Hodags will be home Tuesday to face Medford. 

Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].