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By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
MARSHFIELD – Two days after a monumental win over Stevens Point Area Senior High, the Marshfield girls soccer team couldn’t sustain its high level of play and dropped a 2-0 decision to Wisconsin Rapids in both teams’ Wisconsin Valley Conference finale Thursday at Figi’s Field at Griese Park.
With the victory, Rapids clinches sole possession of the WVC championship with a 10-1-1 record (12-5-2 overall). Marshfield, which was winless last year in the Valley, wraps up its regular season with an 11-7 record and a 7-5 mark in the conference.
Marshfield beat Stevens Point 7-4 on Tuesday, a rare win for the Tigers against their conference rival. Tigers coach Steve Lindner said maintaining that level of play against another top WVC team was tough for his team.
“It was such an emotional game Tuesday and that worked to our disadvantage today,” Lindner said. “We played so well, and it’s really hard to play two quality teams in a row. We needed to play a good game to get over the hump, and we did. Tonight, Rapids is a good team. We played a good game and it was just tough.”
Marshfield also had to deal with an injury to leading scorer Darian Molter, who scored four goals in the win against SPASH. Molter was sidelined in the first half with back spasms, Lindner said.
“There’s not a team that can control her,” Lindner said of Molter. “Allison Gruen couldn’t get anything going either. Overall, they’ve had fantastic seasons.”
Rapids scored early when Morgan Elzinga netted a goal just 5:58 into the game.
At the 31:25 mark, Dana Krug scored to put the Raiders up 2-0 and that was all they would need.
Marshfield had just four shots and two on goal. Rapids goalie Liz Schulze saved both shots, which came in the second half.
The Tigers earned a No. 2 seed in the WIAA Division 1 playoffs. Marshfield will host Antigo in a regional semifinal on June 2 at 5 p.m. at Griese Park. If the Tigers win, they will host a regional final on June 4.
“That win (over SPASH) is going to be huge and it gives the girls so much confidence that they can play with anyone,” Lindner said. “Tonight, we didn’t play as well as we would have liked. Tuesday, we played a great game and that gives the girls so much confidence and momentum.”
Raiders 2, Tigers 0
Wisconsin Rapids 2 0 – 2
Marshfield 0 0 – 0
First half: 1. WR, Morgan Elzinga (unassisted), 5:58; 2. WR, Dana Krug (ua), 31:25.
Second half: No scoring.
Shots: Wisconsin Rapids 11, Marshfield 4.
Saves: Liz Schulze (WR) 2; Naomi Crump (M) 3; Kassi Todryk (M) 2.
Corner kicks: Wisconsin Rapids 5; Marshfield 4.
Records: Wisconsin Rapids 12-5-2, 10-1-1 Wisconsin Valley Conference; Marshfield 11-7, 7-5 WVC.