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URBANA, Ill. – The Marshfield Tigers girls soccer team started its 2022 season at the Urbana Tournament on Friday and Saturday, winning two of three games.
Marshfield lost to Sacred Heart Griffin (Ill.) 4-0 on Friday, before coming back to post a 6-0 win over host Urbana and a 3-0 victory over St. Thomas More on Saturday.
Ava Sainterme and Ella Allar split time in net for Marshfield in the loss to Sacred Heart Griffin, with four and six saves, respectively.
“With five new starters and 11 players that had not played at all or had limited action in 2021, you could tell we were a little nervous and out of sync a little,” Marshfield coach Steve Lindner said of the opener. “I believe the nerves had a lot to do with the control we showed as it was not where we like to be.”
In the second game, the Tigers came out determined dominated Urbana.
Strong play from the midfield and defense did not allow a shot on goal and really controlled things. Hayden Berger, Sophia Gruenling, Abby Ogna, Maddie Nikolai, Makenzie Schreiner Hadlee Hall and Lauryn Katzenberger did not allow Urbana to really pose any attacks.
Avery Weister started things off with the first goal of the season for the Tigers and then the flood gates opened up with Abby Ongna, Katzenberger, Ainsley Hall and Grace Taylor scoring for the Tigers. Gruenling, Presley Franklin, Serenity Paisley and Taylor had assists in the victory.
Marshfield fought to a 0-0 tie through the first half of the game against St. Thomas More before finally breaking through with goals by Katzenberger, Franklin and Taylor providing the scoring. Gruenling and Franklin had assists.
“Getting 3 games to start the season was key before we start Wisconsin Valley Conference action as we are still sorting things out,” Lindner said. “Players need to understand some new roles, and playing with new teammates. We knew coming into the season we would need contributions from all players and we had six different players score and seven players got points.”
Gruenling was selected to the all-Tournament team for her strong steady play.
The Defense recorded 2 shutouts, which equaled all of 2021, and was anchored by defenders Sam Kilty, Hall, Devin Miller, Cassandra Langfoss, Paisley and Mia Preston.
The Tigers will host two games this week with Merrill on Tuesday at 7 p.m. and Wausau East on Thursday at 5 p.m.