This story is sponsored by: High Street Salon, Spa & Travel
By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
MARSHFIELD – The Marshfield girls soccer team was 10 minutes away from knocking off first-place Stevens Point when the game changed on one play.
The Tigers, leading 1-0, were called for a penalty in the goalie box and Abby Bohanski knocked in a penalty kick with 9:17 left in regulation to tie the score.
From there, SPASH took the momentum and control of the game. Jenny Hoerter scored on a breakaway with 3:30 left to break the tie and Bohanski added another goal just 34 seconds later to ice it for the Panthers (10-1-1 overall, 9-1 Wisconsin Valley Conference).
Stevens Point goalie Sarah Peplinski, who made five saves, had two long kicks that bounced over the Marshfield defense and led to both of the Panthers’ final two goals on the breakaway.
“It changed the whole momentum of the game,” Marshfield coach Steve Lindner said of the call that led to the penalty kick. “Up until that point, we were absolutely outplaying them and playing well. That just changed the whole complexion of the game and we got down then.”
Walker Guzowski scored an unassisted goal, sneaking a shot past Peplinski 25:39 into the game to put Marshfield up 1-0.
The lead held as the Tigers dodged a few point-blank shots from Stevens Point. RaeAnn Hovendick had six saves for Marshfield (8-5-1, 5-3-1 Wisconsin Valley Conference).
Marshfield’s defense did just enough to keep the Tigers in the lead until SPASH’s late onslaught.
“SPASH is the conference leaders, along with D.C. Everest, and we can play with them, I know that, we showed it tonight,” Lindner said. “We played really hard. They’re exhausted and gave it all on the field.”
The Tigers must rebound quickly has they host D.C. Everest on Friday at 5 p.m. at Griese Park.
Panthers 3, Tigers 1
Stevens Point 0 3 – 3
Marshfield 1 0 – 1
First half: 1. M, Walker Guzowski, 25:39.
Second half: 2. SP, Abby Bohanski (penalty kick), 70:43; 3. SP, Jenny Hoerter (Bohanski), 76:30; 4. SP, Bohanski (Hoerter), 77:04.
Saves: SP, Sarah Peplinski 5; M, RaeAnn Hovendick 6.
Corner kicks: Stevens Point 5; Marshfield 6.
Records: Stevens Point 10-1-1, 9-1 Wisconsin Valley Conference; Marshfield 8-5-1, 5-3-1 WVC.