This story is sponsored by: The Marshfield Tiger Booster Club
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
WAUSAU – The Marshfield boys soccer team trailed New Richmond by a goal with less than 10 minutes to go and had to gamble.
Marshfield had to push up its defense to give it a chance to tie the game, but the Tigers came up short.
New Richmond scored twice in the final 3½ minutes to finish off a 4-1 win in a WIAA Division 2 sectional final Saturday afternoon at Wausau East High School.
New Richmond (19-4-1) moves on to the WIAA State Boys Soccer Tournament for the first time in program history and will play a Division 2 semifinal Friday afternoon against Elkhorn (19-3-2).
Marshfield ends the season with a 12-8-4 record after finishing strong, going 10-4-4 since early September.
“I’m proud of the boys,” Marshfield coach Steve McCann said. “I’m going to really miss our senior class – 14 great student-athletes. It was a really fun season – lots of great memories that will last for a lifetime.”
Croix Hare scored in the 27th minute to put New Richmond up 1-0 and that lead held until halftime.
Adam Schoepke added another for New Richmond on a penalty kick at the 64:49 mark, but Marshfield responded quickly.
Klaus Friedli scored 1:15 later to make it close again, but Marshfield couldn’t muster another goal against a New Richmond team that had 14-straight shutouts prior to Saturday.
Sean Flandrick and Zach Landt scored in the final 3:32 to finish off Marshfield.
“I asked the boys for three things – play well the first 20 minutes, to score a goal, and to win,” McCann said. “We did start well and scored a goal, but couldn’t pull out a win. We did create some great scoring chances and at times controlled the middle. The defense really limited their opportunities.”
New Richmond 4, Marshfield 1
New Richmond 1 3 – 4
Marshfield 0 1 – 1
First half: 1. NR, Croix Hare, 26:14.
Second half: 2. NR, Adam Schoepke (penalty kick), 64:49; 3. M, Klaus Friedli, 66:04; 4. NR, Sean Flandrick, 86:28; 5. NR, Zach Landt, 87:55.
Total shots: New Richmond 9; Marshfield 13
Shots on goal: New Richmond 8; Marshfield 6.
Corner kicks: New Richmond 4; Marshfield 3.
Saves: NR, 5; M, Jared Klein 4.
Records: New Richmond 19-4-1; Marshfield 12-8-4.