This story is sponsored by: Chili Implement
By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
MARSHFIELD – Nina Hashimoto netted a hat trick and the Marshfield defense did the rest as the Tigers blanked Merrill 4-0 in a WIAA Division 2 girls soccer regional semifinal Thursday at Griese Park.
Marshfield (4-8-4) moves on to a D-2 regional final at Ashwaubenon on Saturday at 5 p.m. The two teams met earlier in the season, with the game ending in a 2-2 tie.
Nicole Simon, playing the middle of the Tigers’ offense, set up Hashimoto for her first goal at the 10:50 mark, and scored one of her own 2:57 into the second half.
Hashimoto added a goal on a header off a nifty crossing pass from Kendra Tremelling 1:38 before halftime, and the Tigers’ sophomore first-team all-Wisconsin Valley Conference selection finished off the hat trick with a goal with 11:03 remaining in the game. Courtney Meyer assisted on the Tigers’ two second-half goals.
“Nina really had a nice game and can score most anywhere on the field,” Marshfield coach Steve Lindner said. “Nicole made some great runs for us on the offensive end and really played well. To get five players into the scoring column was super to see and shows the unselfishness of the team.”
Marshfield sophomore goalkeeper Mikayla Brueggen had to make just four saves as the Tigers’ defense largely kept the ball away from the goalie box.
“Makenna Hart, Eva Wahlstrom, Cassidy Kolstad and Ana Paape played strong defense, and the others came off the bench to keep up the intensity,” Lindner said. “The passing and teamwork is what really impressed the coaching staff. I could not be prouder of how the team played and how they possessed the ball and worked so hard in the game.”
Tigers 4, Bluejays 0
Merrill 0 0 – 0
Marshfield 2 2 – 4
First half: 1. MAR, Nina Hashimoto (Nicole Simon), 10:50; 2. MAR, Hashimoto (Kendra Tremelling), 43:22.
Second half: 3. MAR, Simon (Courtney Meyer), 47:57; 4. MAR, Hashimoto (Meyer), 78:57.
Shots on goal: Merrill 4; Marshfield 17.
Corner kicks: Merrill 4; Marshfield 12.
Saves: MER, Kaylee Bowe 13; MAR, Mikayla Brueggen 4.
Records: Merrill 3-10-1; Marshfield 4-8-4.