TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
On Tuesday, May 17, 2022, the Merrill Girls Varsity Soccer Team traveled to the DC Everest Middle School for a match against the DC Everest Girls.
“DC Everest proved once again why they’re top of conference with a solid win,” said Kyle Hahn, Merrill Girls Varsity Soccer Head Coach.
Everest landed a goal at 2:00 in the first half and then got three more before halftime. The landed their fifth and final goal at 41:00 in the second half of the game.
“We got off to a slow start and gave up four in the first half, but our girls played gutsy defense in the second half and only allowed one more to get past,” Hahn said. “Four less goals given up this time around, which shows clear improvement from our first meeting [against Everest] earlier in the season.
Everest took 16 shots on goal but Merrill’s defense limited their scores to 5, with Anna Bowe saving 11. Merrill took one shot on goal but it was blocked.
Box Score:
Merrill 0 @ DC Everest 5
On Thursday, May 19, the Lady Jays headed to Amherst High School for a Varsity match against the Amherst High Girls. The Merrill Girls worked on defense, but Amherst got their first goal at 19:10 and picked up a second just a couple of minutes later in the first half. In the second, they scored another two goals at 50:49 and 56:39. In the end, Amherst took the win with four goals and Merrill couldn’t get anything on the scoreboard. Merrill took two shots on goal but came up short. Amherst was more aggressive, taking 15 shots on goal. Merrill’s Anna Bowe made 11 saves with the help of the Jays’ defense.
“While Amherst is a good team in their own right, we certainly didn’t help our cause with a variety of defensive mistakes and lethargic play throughout,” Hahn said. “Sometimes the wind just doesn’t blow your way, and this was one of those days. Games like this one are a great lesson in the importance of taking all opponents seriously and coming out of the gate ready to go. All in all, I’ll take the blame for not having the team prepared well enough physically, tactically, and mentally.”
Box Score:
Merrill 0 @ Amherst 4
On Saturday, May 21, Portage/Poynette Ladies were in Merrill for a match against the Bluejays. This time the teams and efforts were more equally matched. Portage/Poynette Girls landed a goal at 13:18 in the first half, but that’s all the Lady Jays let them have, despite Portage/Poynette taking eight shots on goal. Anna Bowe blocked the other seven. Merrill’s Alayna Boyd got more aggressive in the second half and scored two goals for Merrill, one at 47:30 and the other at 63:56 to take the win. Merrill did take six shots on goal, but Portage/Poynette blocked the other four.
“A great bounce back game and a gritty second-half performance that showed our girls were hungry for a “W,’” Hahn said. “We gave up a goal early in the first half off a defensive miscue that allowed Portage/Poynette an open look at goal.”
“At halftime, we talked about the importance of digging in, playing aggressive, and leaving everything out on the field,” he said. “Alayna Boyd scored her first Varsity goal of the season about seven and a half minutes into the half after she blazed past the Portage/Poynette defense and placed the ball just out of reach of their goalkeeper. Fast forward to the 64th minute and Alayna followed the same pattern to get past the defense to coolly finish for her second goal of the game (and season). It definitely wasn’t easy, and we probably made things harder than we needed to at times, but it was a great win against a solid non-conference opponent.”
Box Score:
Portage/Poynette 1 @ Merrill 2
Tuesday, May 24, found the Merrill Varsity Girls Soccer team battling it out at Wausau East High School against the Lady Lumberjacks. “From the get-go in this game, it felt like we were going to win,” Hahn said. “Our girls played with confidence and a toughness that East couldn’t match.”
“We were after goals and adjusted our formation accordingly to put pressure up front. It paid off mid-way through the first half as Alissa Kracht got on the end of a through ball Amelia Skoviera threaded through East’s defense and placed a beautiful shot up and over their goalkeeper,” Score one for Merrill!
“At halftime, we discussed keeping our foot on the gas and working hard to kill the game off with another goal. We had plenty of opportunities going forward in the second half and Gracie Wyma got herself on the scoresheet with a well-taken goal in the 68th minute.” Score two for Merrill at 67:19, and that pretty much wrapped it up. Wausau East took five shots on goal, but Merrill’s defense blocked them all.
“Defensively, our girls limited East’s attacking opportunities and stifled their play all over the field throughout the game,” Hahn said. “All in all, a well deserved win heading into the end of the season and conference play.”
Box Score:
Merrill 2, Wausau East 0
Thursday, May 26, brought the Wausau West Warriors to Merrill for a Varsity battle against the Merrill Girls Soccer Team. “West is a solid team and definitely had their share of the ball in this game,” Hahn said. Wausau West landed goals at 18:27, 27:55, and 34:40 in the first half, then picked up another at 62:05 in the second. Considering they took 18 shots on goal and Merrill’s Anne Bowe and the defense saved 14 of those shots from going in, that’s not half bad. Merrill got off one shot on goal but the Warriors’ defense intercepted the attempt.
“We gave up three in the first half, but locked things down a bit in the second half, only allowing one more goal over the course of 40 minutes,” he said.
“More importantly, this game gave us an opportunity to recognize and thank our program’s Seniors who certainly made a difference,” Hahn said. “Olivia Stevenson, Lizz Leander, Tessa Wheat, McKenna Smith, Evalina Zavala, Amelia Skoviera, Alissa Kracht, Telina Marmorat, and Monica Lane are all fantastic human beings and I, along with Willie and Erich, can’t thank them enough for their time, effort, and commitment to the girls soccer program.”
“It’s easy to be part of a winning/successful team, but these girls stuck in there through the losses and all played their part to help us secure three wins this season,” he said. “We’re extremely proud of them all and wish them nothing but the very best as they embark on a new chapter of life.”
Box Score:
Merrill 0, Wausau West 4