Hodag soccer fends off Merrill to keep pace in GNC

Following last Thursday’s loss to Lakeland, the Rhinelander High School girls’ soccer team currently has no margin for error if it wants to remain in control of its destiny to claim at least a share of the Great Northern Conference title.

Things got anxious in that regard Tuesday night at Merrill, but the Hodags found a way to escape Jay Stadium with maximum points. Kiley Pooch scored in the 68th minute and the Hodags defeated the Bluejays 1-0.

Rhinelander dominated the play, outshooting Merrill 35-4, but again struggled to finish its scoring chances.

“The girls started off slow this evening,” Hodag coach Nathan Bates said. “They were kind of slower than usual, but the second half we came out and we had a lot of opportunities right in the first few minutes. Their goalie had some really good stops. We had some missed opportunities, but at the end of the day, we came away with the win, thankfully.”

The winning goal came as the result of extended pressure in the attacking third. The Hodags dispossessed Merrill and sent a ball up the far flank to Ella Miljevich. The junior crossed the ball into the box for Pooch who, despite partially whiffing on her first attempt, was able to regather the ball at the top of the six-yard box and fire a shot between keeper Alexa Staskiewicz’s legs.

“We had a lot of really good looks and a lot of good movement off the ball and they played well,” Bates said. “But it was nice to see Kiley exactly where she was supposed to be in the position tonight to put one in the back of the net.”

Getting the win in regulation was key, as the conference awards three points for a victory decided with in the regulation 80 minutes, and only two points for a win decided in a penalty kick shootout. It proved to be a bit of a different affair than the first time around when the Hodags defeated the Bluejays 4-0 April 7 at Mike Webster Stadium. Merrill used four keepers that game after Staskiewicz left the game late in the first half with an injury.

“It was an interesting game. Merrill played extremely tough and physical like they did the first time,” Bates said. “We had the better end of it when it came to good looks on the goal and things like that. I’ll give huge props to Merrill’s goalkeeper. She had a great night tonight. She made some really good saves.” 

Rylee Mickevicius was credited with two saves in the shutout for Rhinelander.

The Hodags were back in action Thursday night, facing Antigo at Mike Webster Stadium in a game that concluded after press time for today’s edition. It’s part of a busy three-game in three-day stretch for Rhinelander, which embarks today for an invite at Menomonee Falls. Rhinelander will play the hosting Phoenix tonight and then face Cedarburg tomorrow morning.

“We’re going to head down to Menomonee Falls and give the girls some really good competition against some good teams,” Bates said. “Between Cedarburg and Menomonee Falls, they got their work cut out for them this weekend, but it should be a really fun weekend for the girls. We always enjoy having our overnight tournaments — some good team bonding and some soccer on top of it.”

Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].