This story is sponsored by: The University of Wisconsin-Marshfield/Wood County
By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
MARSHFIELD – Marshfield scored four times in an 11-minute span late in the first half to bust open a tight game and went on to defeat Rhinelander 7-1 in a WIAA Division 2 boys soccer regional semifinal Thursday at Griese Park.
Marshfield (11-7-3) moves on to a D-2 regional final against Pulaski (9-7-6) at Griese Park on Saturday at 3:45 p.m.
Hunter McManus scored at the 7:51 mark off a booming corner kick from Collin Nikolai to put the Tigers on the board. Then, the offense exploded.
Grant Urban knocked one in 30 yards out on the left side at the 31:04 mark to open the flood gates. Kade McManus scored 2:03 later, and Ethan Leischow and Hunter McManus added goals before halftime to give Marshfield a 5-0 lead at the break.
“Everyone was excited, nervous, pumped up all at the same time,” Marshfield coach Steve McCann said. “It’s our first game, so first hurdle over with. Finishing (offensive attempts) has been a bit of an Achilles’ heel for us. It was nice, right away, to finish off a corner, finish off some goals early and get a nice lead going.”
After Rhinelander scored its only goal 11 minutes into the second half, Marshfield finished off the scoring when Hunter McManus finished off a hat trick with his third goal, and Kevin Cassidy connected in the 78th minute.
Marshfield has a history with Pulaski. The two teams tied 3-3 back on Sept. 25 at a tournament at Wausau East and Pulaski knocked the Tigers out of the playoffs last year with a 3-1 win in a sectional semifinal.
In the addition of Urban back in the lineup should help, McCann said. The junior had been out with an ankle injury and his return was noticeable on the field.
“Grant Urban has been out for a whole month with an ankle (injury) and he rolled it last night, but he was out here tonight and we put him out on the wing,” McCann said. “He’s fast, hits nice headers, and scored a nice goal with his left foot, so it’s nice to have him back in the fray. We can also put him back on defense as well to give us more speed back there.”
Tigers 7, Hodags 1
Rhinelander 0 1 – 1
Marshfield 5 2 – 7
First half: 1. M, Hunter McManus (Collin Nikolai), 7:51; 2. M, Grant Urban, 31:04; 3. M, Kade McManus, 33:01; 4. M, Ethan Leischow (Klaus Friedli), 37:06; 5. M, H. McManus, 42:40.
Second half: 6. R, Gunnar Millot, 56:15; 7. M, H. McManus (Luke McCann), 75:20; 8. M, Kevin Cassidy (H. McManus) 77:29.
Total shots: Rhinelander 6; Marshfield 28.
Shots on goal: Rhinelander 4; Marshfield 21.
Corner kicks: Rhinelander 2; Marshfield 3.
Saves: R, Josh Randolph 14. M, Jared Klein 3.
Records: Rhinelander 11-6-2; Marshfield 11-7-3.