For the Antigo Times

Antigo Girls Soccer fell short of the Rhinelander Hodags Thursday.

The first goal made it to the back of the net at 11.78 after 5 saves by goalie Jena Nonnenmacher. After defensive player Mckenzie Schroepfer accidentally caught a ricocheted ball, Rhinelander’s number 5 lined up for the free kick, which flew over the top of the net.

In the first half, offensive player Hannah Nonnenmacher went for the shot almost finding the net, but unfortunately the ball ricocheted off the goal post back into the field of play and Rhinelander took the ball the length of the field for another goal. Before the second half Rhinelander managed to get three more goals to the back of the net, and the score going into half time was 5-0.

The lady Robins came out much stronger in the second half. Communication was key and theirs was perfect, allowing the defensive line to hold off the Hodags until their first shot in the second half was made at 62:69. The defense line was able to catch the Hodags off sides three times.

On the other end of the field there were a number of good runs made by various players, including Kelly Kamin, Karleemae Schultz, and the Nonnenmacher sisters. This is where the Robins got their second shot attempt made by Hannah Nonnenmacher sent from Karleemae Schultz. Unfortunately it did not find the back of the net. Payton Bunnell also had some great advances up the field allowing for Antigo to try and attack Rhinelander’s relentless defensive line.

Rhinelander was only able to find the back of the net two more times making the final score 8-0. In between the posts was Jena Nonnenmacher who was able to eliminate 34 other shot attempts from the Hodags. Along with the goalie, Mckenzie Schroepfer was able to get to the net and stop three additional shot attempts. The Lady Robins pulled together and used the strengths of the entire team to hold off the mercy rule for the first time in four years.