This story is sponsored by Forward Financial Bank
By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
MARSHFIELD – The Marshfield boys soccer team finally got into the scoring column after being shut out in its first two games, however, the Tigers couldn’t stop Wausau West late and fell 5-2 in its Wisconsin Valley Conference and home opener on Tuesday at Griese Park.
After Gabe Ronan tied the game for Marshfield 3:40 into the second half, West scored twice in a four-minute span and added another goal in the final minute to pull away for the win.
The Tigers fall to 0-2-1 overall, while West improves to 2-0. It was the WVC opener for both teams.
“Our defense kind of lost their marks,” Marshfield coach Steve McCann said. “Our defense looked pretty good last weekend, and tonight they lost their marks a few times and had a few loose touches.”
West’s Alex Names scored 44 seconds into the game to take the early lead, but Marshfield quickly countered when Alec Hinson scored on a Ronan assist 5 minutes later.
Steven Lewandowski scored with 2:19 to go in the first half to give the Warriors the lead again before Ronan tied it up 3:40 into the second half.
The goals by Hinson and Ronan were the first two of the season for the Tigers, who had struggled offensively in their opening games last weekend at the Sun Prairie Invitational. While it was better at times Tuesday, McCann said the team is still trying to figure things out.
“We want to play a real simple game, give-and-go, work it as a team, and we’re missing those opportunities,” McCann said. “I think we need the composure, control the ball and get it to the open guy.”
Lewandowski scored again to put the Warriors on top 3-0 10 minutes following Ronan’s goal. Barni Shiferaw added another goal 4 minutes later to give West a commanding lead.
Marshfield had numerous opportunities later in the half, but couldn’t get another one past goalkeeper Thomas Hogan, who finished with seven saves.
“Some of the kids aren’t quite used to the speed of the varsity game,” McCann said. “We have a lot of good players, but unexperienced players. The thing that really stands out to me was the accuracy of our passes. We have guys available and we’re just missing passes.”
Marshfield returns to action next Tuesday, Sept. 8, at Stevens Point.
Warriors 5, Tigers 2
Wausau West 2 3 – 5
Marshfield 1 1 – 2
First half: 1. WW, Alex Names (Ben Johnson), 0:44; 2. M, Alec Hinson (Gabe Ronan), 5:43; 3. WW, Steven Lewandowski (ua), 42:41.
Second half: 4. M, Ronan (Klaus Friedli), 48:40; 5. WW, Lewandowski (Peter Lee), 58:10; 6. WW, Barni Shiferaw (Jared Kiepke), 62:05; 7. WW, Nati Shiferaw (Kiepke), 89:29.
Shots on goal: Wausau West 9; Marshfield 9.
Corner kicks: Wausau West 2; Marshfield 3.
Saves: WW, Thomas Hogan 7; M, Mathias Holm 4.
Records: Wausau West 2-0, 1-0 Wisconsin Valley Conference; Marshfield 0-2-1, 0-1 WVC.