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By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
MARSHFIELD – For the second time in a week, the Marshfield boys soccer team found itself in a dog fight with Wausau East. On Thursday, however, it was to continue its season.
Luke McCann scored 3:19 before halftime and Alec Hinson added another goal 10 minutes into the second half to lift top-seed Marshfield to a 2-1 win over the Lumberjacks in a WIAA Division 2 regional semifinal at Griese Park.
Wausau East cut its deficit in half on a goal by Landon Dehnel with 10:04 left in the game, but Marshfield held on the rest of the way.
Mathias Holm had a save and two other shots went high as the Lumberjacks put on the pressure in the closing minutes.
“Wausau East played well,” Marshfield coach Steve McCann said. “They are a well-coached team. They shielded well, they had some nice give-and-go’s on their attack, and we’re fortunate they didn’t take advantage of their opportunities, especially early.”
Marshfield (10-6-3) moves on to a Division 2 regional final on Saturday against Rhinelander (12-2-1), champions of the Great Northern Conference. The game will be at 3:30 p.m. at Griese Park. Rhinelander beat the Tigers 4-3 in a regional semifinal in Marshfield last season.
East (6-13-1) started out the game strong, getting three shots on goal in the first 5 minutes – all of which were saved by Holm.
“Mathias Holm had a great game again tonight,” Steve McCann said. “He’s had a solid season and had a great game. He made some great saves. We were fortunate to get a couple of goals and fortunate to have the win.”
East held a 6-1 advantage in shots on goal before Marshfield finally got in the scoring column.
Klaus Friedli had an indirect kick from about 30 yards out that he hit toward the goal. The ball was deflected by East goalkeeper Sam Petralia before McCann got to the loose ball and knocked it in at the 41:41 mark.
Hinson headed in a long crossing pass from Hunter McManus on the left side of the net to give the Tigers a 2-0 lead 10:48 into the second half.
“We watched film on them, played them twice this season, and it’s always tough to beat a team three times,” Steve McCann said. “They (East) are a very good eight seed. I knew coming in it was going to be a very tough game.”
Tigers 2, Lumberjacks 1
Wausau East 0 1 – 1
Marshfield 1 1 – 2
First half: 1. M, Luke McCann (Klaus Friedli), 41:41.
Second half: 2. M, Alec Hinson (Hunter McManus), 55:48; 3. WE, Landon Dehnel, 79:56.
Shots on goal: Wausau East 8; Marshfield 5.
Corner kicks: Wausau East 1; Marshfield 2.
Records: Wausau East 6-13-1; Marshfield 10-6-3.