By Nick Beversdorf
Reporter
Despite an improved performance when compared to the previous game against Wausau East, the Bluejay girls varsity soccer team could not muster a win against Wausau West this past Thursday (April 21st). With a final score of 2-0, this loss puts the Bluejay soccer players at 0-3 in conference and 0-6 overall.
The first half saw Merrill hold the line against West and not allow any goals, although there were plenty of close close. Goalie Gabby Schlegel had eight saves during the game, only allowing two during the second half. Merrill had a total of 11 shots, with eight shots on goal.
“So last night was chalked up as another disappointment to our season,” comments head coach Stephanie Nelson. “We played better than we did against East, but we are really just struggling in scoring right now. We had a lot of chances with 11 total shots (eight on goal) and four corner kicks, but we just couldn’t seem to make our chances really count. We possessed the ball pretty well and at times we had some really great passing plays, but we just couldn’t seem to keep the ball out of our goal. Gabby Schlegel came up with some huge saves again (eight saves and all good scoring chances) and snuffed out some chances they had before they could get a shot off.
“Really it just comes down to gaining a winning edge in our program. We need to get this mentality of do or die, win or else. They want to win, but they need to get a must win mindset and continue to improve on all the little things in order to move forward.”
Merrill girls varsity soccer will have their next game Tuesday, April 26 at 4:30 p.m. at Marshfield.
