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By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
MARSHFIELD – Wisconsin Rapids ripped away what seemed like a sure victory for the Marshfield boys soccer team on Tuesday.
Rapids scored a pair of goals in the final 8 minutes to secure a 2-1 win over the stunned Tigers in the Wisconsin Valley Conference opener for both teams at Griese Park.
Matt Hepp scored on a rebound with 7:52 left to tie the game at 1-1, then Seth Surendonk knocked home a penalty kick with 4:01 to go to give the Raiders an unlikely victory.
Marshfield’s Nik Harmonic scored at the 8:43 mark of the first half and the narrow lead held for the next 63 minutes as the Tigers turned away numerous attacks by Wisconsin Rapids.
Rapids did the same as Marshfield managed 32 shots, but only 18 on goal, and Raiders goalkeeper Kevin Baneck saved 17 of them. The Tigers had a pair of great chances, but missed on an open net high on both accounts.
“We had control of the ball and kind of lost our composure there at probably the 68-minute mark and that led to their first goal,” Marshfield coach Ron Todryk said. “We never got our composure back. We had decent support, decent passes. We strung a lot of passes together up and down the field.
“We had two wide-open nets and we couldn’t put the ball in. We put those in, and all of a sudden it’s a 3-0 ballgame.”
The Raiders’ defensive effort proved to be the difference as they were able to stay within striking distance before their late offensive barrage in the final 8 minutes.
“It should have been our game,” Todryk said. “We’ve got to pick our heads up and encourage everybody. It’s the beginning of the season and we’re going to make mistakes. It’s only our third game.”
Trenton Todryk had 13 saves for Marshfield.
Marshfield plays at Wausau West on Thursday.
Raiders 2, Tigers 1
Wisconsin Rapids 0 2 – 2
Marshfield 0 1 – 1
First half: 1. M, Nik Harmonic (Kohl VanOudenhoven), 8:43.
Second half: 2. WR, Matt Hepp (Seth Surendonk), 72:03; 3. WR, Surendonk (penalty kick), 75:59.
Shots: Wisconsin Rapids 20; Marshfield 32.
Saves: WR, Kevin Baneck 17; M, Trenton Todryk 13.
Records: Wisconsin Rapids 1-0 Wisconsin Valley Conference; Marshfield 1-2, 0-1 WVC.