The Hatchet girls worked two big wins last week to reach the 13-win level, then fell 4-1 to the state’s sixth-ranked Waupaca in Friday’s regular-season closer.
Tomahawk fell behind Lakeland 1-0, but no worries.
“From this point on the Hatchet girls took control and settled in and played and passed as well as they have all year,” THS coach Greg Vallier said. “Lakeland’s goalie certainly kept them in the game making some very impressive saves.”
The Hatchets improved to 13-10-1 with the 3-1 triumph, with help from Nicole Nerva’s hattrick, one goal per period. Erika Vallier set up all three and Madi Ungerer and Kiersten McCormick also assisted.
Saves–THS–Erin Sparks 11-7-3–21. Lake.– Annika Nimsgern 6-5-11–22.
Rapid Point
The Red Panthers dropped a 3-0 game despite holding a 45-18 edge in shots on goal.
“Erin Sparks stole the show again and posted another shutout in the books,” Vallier said. “Tomahawk may have been out-shot by the Point team, but the Hatchet girls found the back of the opposing teams net.”
Nerva (A- Ungerer, Vallier) made it 1-0 in the second and Vallier scored twice on Rapids/Point in the third, both unassisted. Her first was short-handed.
Saves–THS–Sparks 6-21-18–45. PR– Chappel 7-4-4–15.
Streaking Comets
Waupaca (22-2, 11-1) sealed up the GNC title with Friday’s 4-1 win. Vallier (A- Leah Foster) scored first, but the Comets rallied to 2-1 by the end of the first.
“We played a pretty solid game, but the precise shooting from the highly-talented Waupaca girls ended up too much,” Vallier said. “Erin Sparks had another wonderful game and ended the regular season the #4 goalie in the state. Tomahawk girls will host their first home playoff game in the history of the girls program, ending the season with a 13-10-1 record, the first to have a winning record.
“These girls have played their hearts out week-in and week-out, and we as coaches are very proud of all of them.”
Saves–THS–Sparks 19-12-12–43. Wau.– Cassie Rasmussen 5-8-2–15.