TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
The Merrill Girls had a rough week with three losses and have yet to kick it for that elusive win.
Friday, May 14, found the Merrill Bluejay Girls battling it out on the soccer field on their home turf against Marshfield.
“One of my goals heading into this game was to play Marshfield better this time around than we did the week before,” said Coach Kyle Hahn. “We certainly made life more difficult for them, ramping up our defensive efforts and holding them to three less goals and six less shots on goal.”
“We also only gave up one corner kick the entire game, compared to the 11 we gave up when we traveled to Marshfield,” he said. “Overall, we played better from back to front and were rewarded for the attacking risks we took with a PK in the 76th minute. McKenna Smith stepped up to the spot and converted coolly and confidently from the spot for her second goal of the season to cut our final deficit to three goals.”
Vanessa Bayer made 11 saves, and Anna Bowe made 3.
Box Score
Marshfield 4
@
Merrill 1
Thursday, May 13, the game took place at the Merrill Area Recreation Complex (MARC) with the Bluejays facing off against SPASH.
“Despite losing 1-0, this was a great game!” Coach Hahn said. “Our girls played hard from the first whistle and can be extremely proud of their effort throughout.” “Defensively, we frustrated SPASH for most of the night,” he said. “Unfortunately, they took advantage of a mad scramble in the penalty box after a corner kick and came out with their lone goal. Vanessa Bayer was a solid rock in goal, racking up 32 saves on the night and certainly kept us in the game. Kelly Page and Audrey Ladewig also did a great job organizing our defense and blocking plenty of shots on their own.”
Box Score
SPASH 1
@
Merrill 0
In the Tuesday, May 11, game against Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln, it was “Another case of a tough first half, followed by an improved second half,” Coach Hahn said. “We got off to a slow start and Rapids made us pay 36 seconds into the game. Their pace, athleticism, and physicality seemed to catch us off guard a bit, and it took us some time to adjust defensively. After the half, we only gave up two more goals and Freshman, Anna Bowe, got her first taste of Varsity action part way through the second half. She managed three saves and didn’t give up any goals, so we’ll keep looking for additional opportunities to get her in goal to build up her confidence.”
Vanessa Bayer also made 18 saves. Merrill took 3 shots on goal but came up empty. Wisconsin Rapids agressively went for 27 shots on goal and came up with 6.
Box Score
Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln 6
@
Merrill 0