This story is sponsored by: Chili Implement
By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
MARSHFIELD – Two Pacelli penalties led to a pair of Columbus Catholic goals in the first half and that was the Dons would need in its WIAA Division 3 boys soccer sectional semifinal Thursday at Griese Park.
Kellen Delaney scored on a penalty kick in the 12th minute and Alex Edwards pushed home a goal following a free kick at the 39:01 mark to give the Dons a quick two-goal lead, and helped Columbus Catholic to a 4-0 win over Stevens Point Pacelli.
Columbus Catholic (9-2) moves on to the sectional finals for the second year in a row, and fourth time in the past seven years. The Dons will host Arcadia (7-2) at 1 p.m. Saturday at Griese Park. The game will be streamed live at zaleskisports.com/live-sports.
“This was a good team win today,” Columbus Catholic coach Jeff Edwards said. “We were passing well and seeing the open players. Beating a team three times in a season is very difficult (as the Dons did against Pacelli this season), but I thought we remained focused and worked our game plan.”
Columbus dominated the ball early but couldn’t muster a goal until Delaney was tripped up in the goalkeeper box and drilled home a penalty kick in the upper right corner to put the Dons on the scoreboard.
Another penalty on Pacelli, this time just to the right of the penalty box, gave Columbus a free kick. Grant Olson delivered a pass into the middle where Edwards was able to put home the Dons’ second goal.
Tyler Linzmeier scored off an assist from Edwards 7:04 into the second half, and Edwards scored again, on an assist from Jadon Nienast, to finish off the win.
Wyatt Drexler had to make just four saves in goal for the Dons, who had a 40-6 advantage in total shots.
Columbus Catholic will be attempting to qualify for its first WIAA state tournament appearance since 2006, the only time the Dons have made it that far. The Dons are in the sectionals for the eighth year in a row, with losses coming in the sectional finals in 2014, 2017 and last year. The Division 3 state tournament will be played at Kewaskum High School on Saturday, Nov. 7, with both semifinals and the championship match conducted on the same day.
Dons 4, Cardinals 0
Pacelli 0 0 – 0
Columbus Catholic 2 2 – 4
First half: 1. CC, Kellen Delaney (penalty kick), 11:12; 2. CC, Alex Edwards (Grant Olson), 39:01.
Second half: 3. CC, Tyler Linzmeier (Edwards), 52:04; 4. CC, Edwards (Jadon Nienast), 55:49.
Total shots: Pacelli 6; Columbus Catholic 40.
Shots on goal: P 4; CC 21.
Corner kicks: P 2; CC 9.
Saves: CC, Wyatt Drexler 4.
Records: Pacelli 3-6-2; Columbus Catholic 9-2.