Yet another one-goal game slipped from the grasp of the Bluejay boys soccer team last Tuesday when it fell 2-1 to SPASH.
But the boys also stumbled in Thursday’s rain-filled 5-0 home loss to second-place Wisconsin Rapids, just the second WVC defeat by more than two goals.
The Jays had a 1-9 record in the Valley after Thursday, but six of those losses featured a one-goal margin.
Stevens Point’s Chia Yang scored the game’s first goal in the 30th minute against Carl Noland, who was valiantly filling in for Nathan Beyer. Beyer suffered a concussion when he took a knee to the head in the Green Bay East tournament in the middle of a save attempt.
“We came out slow against Stevens Point as well,” MHS Chris Behrens said. “Carl Noland was playing keeper, which is a role he has never played before. Although we had a rough start to the game, we were able to come out and tie it up with a goal by Kriss Philipp in the 47th minute of the game. We continued to put pressure on Stevens Point, although they were able to sneak a goal in to take the game.”
Both of those scores were unassisted, as was Marc Renfert’s game-winner in the 65th minute.
SPASH held an 8-6 edge in shots on goal, and a 16-9 margin in total shots. Noland made 6 saves, while Ryan Weber (2 saves) and Abe Johnson (4) split duties for the Panthers.
Rapid descent
Rapids netted two goals in the first half – in the 15th and 40th minutes – and made it 3-0 just 22 seconds into the second half. Goals in the 59th and 65th minutes closed it out.
“Our team played very poorly, and did not come out of the gate strong,” Behrens said. “The game might have been a little different if a controversial offside call was not overturned to give Rapids their second goal.”
Rapids held small margins in shots (15-14) and shots on goal (12-8). Noland made 5 saves to 8 for Wes Plowman.
Keegan Crowley scored two of the first three goals, and Nick Reber and Robbie Jenks each had a goal and an assist.
The Jays end their WVC season on Thursday at Wausau East, then head to Pulaski for Tuesday’s 7:00 p.m. WIAA regional opener as the seventh seed.
“As a preview, Marshfield took the #1 seed in our sectional, and because we were able to take them to double overtime, I strongly believe that no team in our sectional is unbeatable,” Behrens said. “We are looking at a good game against (#2 seed) Pulaski.”