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By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
MARSHFIELD – The Marshfield girls hockey team has been up and down during the past few weeks, going 4-5 in its last nine games.
However, the Tigers (11-7-1) are coming off a big 1-0 win over eighth-ranked Eau Claire last Friday and are hoping to carry that positive momentum into their WIAA regional final on Thursday when they host Northern Edge (Antigo/Rhinelander) at the Marshfield Youth Ice and Recreation Center.
Marshfield has been successful this season in large part to its defensive play. The Tigers have allowed more than four goals in a game only once this season behind the play of goalie Ashley Bauer, but has had trouble scoring in games against top competition.
“The girls have been working really well on breakouts and playing hard defensively, learning how to win, learning how to stay motivated during a game and stay ahead,” Marshfield coach Nate Sparbel said. “Friday’s game against Eau Claire, they learned that they can play with anybody if they stick in their game mentally.”
Northern Edge is in its first year in WIAA competition and brings a 8-14 record into the postseason. Sparbel said he doesn’t really know what to expect from the Tigers’ opponent, having not played them this season. He said he is more concerned with how Marshfield approaches the game.
“I’m very much concerned with going in and not playing down to their level or not playing our game of hockey and giving the other team a chance,” Sparbel said. “In playoff hockey anything can happen.”
Forwards Chandler Roy-Peterson, Nicole Karl and Abbey Besler will play big roles for the Tigers, who Sparbel said lack depth. Marshfield has no seniors and six juniors on its 12-player roster.
Karl, a sophomore, scored the game-winner against Eau Claire on an assist from Paige Johnson, a freshman.
“Nicole Karl is a great back checker and plays a big part in a defensive role as well,” Sparbel said. “Abbey Belser scores a lot of goals for us, and Paige Johnson, on defense, is huge for us.”
The winner moves on to play the winner of the Central Wisconsin Storm-Lakeland game on Feb. 23 in a sectional semifinal.
Paul Lecker can be reached by e-mail at paul@marshfieldareasports.com.
