Marshfield boys soccer scores early, holds off Merrill

Marshfield's Alex Kelnhofer races Merrill's Dan Blakeslee to the ball during the Tigers' 1-0 win Thursday at Griese Park. (Photo by Paul Lecker/MarshfieldAreaSports.com)

This story is sponsored by Norm E Lane Farm

By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com

MARSHFIELD – Quinn Schuster scored 22 minutes into the game and the Marshfield boys soccer team held on the rest of the way, beating Merrill 1-0 in a Wisconsin Valley Conference match Thursday at Griese Park.

Schuster scored off an centering pass from Matt McCann on the right wing and pushed home the game’s only goal at the 22:26 mark of the first half.

Marshfield peppered Merrill goalkeeper Austin Gartmann with 13 other shots during the game, but couldn’t get any past the Bluejays senior.

The Tigers’ ability to control the ball for most of the game, as well as their stingy defense that gave up just six shots on goal – all saved by senior goalkeeper Erik Holm – was the difference.

The Tigers’ ability to control the ball for most of the game, as well as their stingy defense that gave up just six shots on goal – all saved by senior goalkeeper Erik Holm – was the difference. Holm’s biggest save came with 10 minutes left when he deflected a shot, the ball hit the crossbar and came back to him while he was on the ground.

“Erik made a couple of nice saves on point-blank shots,” Marshfield coach Ron Todryk said. “I asked Nick Guzowski to play outside midfield today and he went up (from sweeper) and tried to make some things happen on offense. Matt McCann is up and down (the field), I moved Austin Gilbert up to the center forward as the target man to create some more opportunities and we’re getting the hang of that.”

The win evens Marshfield’s record in the Wisconsin Valley Conference at 2-2 (2-4 overall), while Merrill falls to 0-3 and 0-2 in the Valley.

Marshfield had a goal in each half negated by offsides calls and had a number of other opportunities thwarted by Gartmann. The Tigers have been shutout in all four of their losses, so their ability to get so many shots on goal was an improvement, despite only scoring once.

“It’s a victory and we’ve got to be happy with that,” Todryk said. “We need to put the ball in the back of the net and we need to work on our finishing. We’ve spent two weeks working on finishing drills at least half the practices. It’s helped, at least we’re shooting the ball on goal, now we just have to get some past the goalkeeper.”

Bobby Leggon and Jack Haessly led Marshfield’s defense, chasing down Merrill defenders on breakaways and keeping the ball, in large part, away from Holm.

“I got Jack in back and Bobby Leggon, and he doesn’t get beat,” Todryk said. “Last year, Bobby was our most improved player and this year he’s coming on again.”

Marshfield plays at the Fond du Lac Invitational on Friday and Saturday, and returns to Valley action Tuesday at D.C. Everest.

Tigers 1, Bluejays 0
Merrill 0 0 – 0
Marshfield 1 0 – 1
First half:
1. MAR, Quinn Schuster (Matt McCann assist), 22:26.
Shots on goal: Marshfield 14, Merrill 7.
Saves: MAR, Erik Holm 7; MER, Austin Gartmann 13.
Records: Merrill 0-3, 0-2 Wisconsin Valley Conference; Marshfield 2-4, 2-2 WVC.