By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
MARSHFIELD – The Marshfield girls soccer team did not win or lose, but it left Figi’s Field at Griese Park on Monday with a sense of accomplishment.
The Tigers held Tomah to just one shot on goal over the final 65 minutes in a 1-1 double overtime tie in their season opener.
A pair of freshmen teamed up for Marshfield’s only goal. Allison Gruen scored at the 64:47 mark of the second half off an assist from Maddie Smith to tie the game at 1-1.
The play of the two freshmen is something Marshfield coach Brad Kowalski is hoping to see more off as the Tigers have a number of underclassmen that will be logging major minutes this season.
“The girls played really outstanding,” Kowalski said. “We have a lot of underclassmen, we’re very young, but they played like veterans out there.”
Tomah controlled the ball for a majority of the first half and found the net when Amber Patterman scored on an assist from Mary Vender at the 8:16 mark of the first half.
The Tigers had just two shots on goal in the first half but were much more aggressive in the second half.
Marshfield’s midfielders, led by Smith, Emily Haws and Myranda Schmitt, as well as defenders Sarah Wolff and Alyssa Brenner, took control. The Tigers had eight shots on goal in the second half, including the goal by Gruen.
“We played much more aggressive in the second half,” Kowalski said. “We had a stretch there were our players in the middle of the field really controlled the ball and gave us some chances.”
Marshfield had a pair of corner kicks in the first overtime period, but didn’t manage a shot in either of the extra 10-minute periods. Tomah had just one and Marshfield goalie Kassi Todryk had the final of her five saves.
The Tigers host Merrill in a nonconference game Thursday at 5 p.m. at Griese Park.
Tigers 1, Timberwolves 1 (2 OT)
Tomah 1 0 0 0 – 1
Marshfield 0 1 0 0 – 1
First half: 1. Tomah, Amber Patterson (Mary Vender), 8:16.
Second half: 2. Marshfield, Allison Gruen (Maddie Smith), 64:47.
First overtime: No scoring.
Second overtime: No scoring.
Shots on goal: Tomah 6, Marshfield 9. Saves: Tomah, Amber Ingwell 1, Sierra Butzler 5; Marshfield, Kassi Todryk 5.
Records: Tomah 0-0-1; Marshfield 0-0-1.
