This story is sponsored by: The Marshfield Tiger Booster Club
By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
MARSHFIELD – Following a WIAA state tournament appearance in 2019, the first in program history, the Marshfield girls soccer team sat silent last year as the spring sports season was canceled.
The Tigers are back in 2021, kicking off their schedule with a game Tuesday night at Stevens Point, with a roster dominated by 11 seniors.
Kate Schilling returns after scoring 12 goals as a sophomore in 2019, and is joined by fellow seniors Courtney Meyer, Abigail Kilty, Aly Dietsche, Hannah Halle, Clara Alara, Becca Lossman, Claire Critelli, Haley Wipfli, Savanna Braxton and Bryssa Lenz.
Juniors Sophia Gruenling and Ava Sainterme, sophomores Samantha Kilty, Madelyn Nikolai, Avery Weister and Ainsley Hall, and freshmen Hayden Berger, Abigail Ongna and Serenity Paisley round out this year’s Tigers roster.
“We have great leadership at all levels with Aly Dietsche starting at deep sweeper, Abigail Kilty on defense, Courtney Meyer and Sophia Gruenling back at midfield, and Kate Schilling and Hannah Halle as our strikers,” Marshfield coach Steve Lindner said.
Allar and Sainterme will compete for time at goalkeeper after bothing seeing some action two seasons ago.
Lindner said he is excited, as is the team, for the upcoming season.
“I think our strengths will be our midfield thru strikers as we have Kate and Courtney who has started since her freshman year, and Sophia Gruenling, who scored the game winner in 2019 to send us to the state tournament. I cannot say enough about the entire program and the enthusiasm of the players, as we used the WIAA allowed 15 contact days this year with the majority of players out for soccer attending most sessions.
“Our young players have really stepped up and many of them look to make an impact to Tiger soccer this year already. As they continue to improve, they will see significant time in the mix for the Tigers of 2021,” Lindner continued. “The coaching staff is second to none as again Jeff Molter will be our assistant, Jenna Beach along with newcomer Kristen Koshalek will be our goalie coaches, and Steve McCann heading up the JV program. A ton of experience and knowledge to draw from as we enter the season.”
Marshfield will host Merrill for its home opener on Thursday, its first-ever game at Heiting Community Stadium. Game time is 7 p.m. and it will be broadcast at zaleskisports.com, as will all of the Tigers’ home games this season.
Marshfield Girls Soccer Schedule
Tue., May 4 at Stevens Point, 5 p.m.
Thur., May 6 MERRILL, 7 p.m.
Sat., May 8 at D.C. Everest, 11 a.m.
Tue., May 11 at Wausau East, 5 p.m.
Thur., May 13 WISCONSIN RAPIDS, 7 p.m.
Sat., May 15 at Merrill, 11 a.m.
Tue., May 18 at Wausau West, 5 p.m.
Thur., May 20 D.C. EVEREST, 7 p.m.
Sat., May 22 WAUSAU EAST, 11 a.m.
Mon., May 24 at Rhinelander, 7 p.m.
Thur., May 27 STEVENS POINT, 7 p.m.
Fri., May 28 at Tomah, 5 p.m.
Tue., June 1 at Wisconsin Rapids, 7 p.m.
Thur., June 3 WAUSAU WEST, 7 p.m.
Sat., June 5 MENOMONIE, 10 a.m.
Tue., June 15 WIAA Div. 1 regional semifinal, TBA
Home games in CAPS, at Heiting Stadium, Marshfield High School