A 22-4 shot advantage helped Seymour pick up a 2-1 win over Waupaca April 26 in a nonconference girls’ soccer game at Waupaca High School.
The Comets also defeated Ripon 10-0 April 23 and opened Eastern Valley Conference play April 18 with a 3-2 loss to Winneconne.
Seymour 2, Waupaca 1
Jenna Golliher put Seymour on the board two minutes into the game, but the shorthanded Comets tied the contest five minutes into the second half on Mikaila Johnson’s unassisted direct kick.
However, Emma Ellis came up with the game-winning goal at the 66-minute mark.
“Mikaila’s goal in the second half was spectacular,” coach Mark Polebitski said. “She took a free kick from 28 yards out. The shot sailed over the wall, hit the crossbar and went into the back of the net.
“We were down to 12 players due to the choir trip, so we had to play iron woman soccer,” he said. “We got outshot and the defense bent, but did not break. Courtney Jungers played tough on the left side for us, putting back numerous attacks. Josee Waitrovich had a good game in the goal for us with 20 saves.”
Although the Comets didn’t come up with a win, Polebitski said he team, especially, his younger players, learned plenty.
“I think our younger players grew up a lot with this game,” he said. “Many of the girls had their best game so far this year and the newcomers got a taste of what varsity soccer is all about.”
Waupaca 10, Ripon 0
The Comets didn’t allow the Tigers to get off a shot.
Johnson had a big night offensively with five goals and three assists, while Lizzi Hanke scored twice and Amber Van Handel, Sierra Patzke and Maleva Butkiewicz also found the net.
Hanke and Jocely Barraza had three assists, while Julia Slattery added one.
Winneconne 3, Waupaca 2
Waupaca opened the scoring in the 10th minute, as Patzke took a corner kick, a Winneconne defender deflected the ball and Johnson put the ball right back in for the score.
“Our first goal was great,” Polebitski said. “We had good position to put the ball right back in once the defense tried to clear it. Mikaila got a solid foot on the ball.”
Winneconne tied the game on Waitrovich’s misplayed ball and later scored off on a corner kick play.
“The ball skipped off the wet turf and stayed low and caught Josee by surprise,” Polebitski said. “Josee went up for the punch (on the corner kick play), but the ball took a funny bounce. Winneconne was right there to put the loose ball in. That was really unlucky for us.”
Waitrovich was later knocked out of the game and the Comets made a change at goalkeeper, which led to the game-winning goal.
“We had to pull Mikaila off the front line and put her in the goal,” Polebitski said. “A Winneconne midfielder won a ball about 35 yards out. Our defenders failed to put on immediate pressure and she scored an easy goal from 30 yards out.”
Waupaca made it 3-2 in the final minutes, as Hanke scored to cut the lead to 3-2.
“The girls kept up the pressure and scored in the final minutes of the game,” Polebitski said. “Lizzi won a ball and had a breakaway with less than 5 seconds left on the clock, but the game finished with Lizzi 6 yards out looking on an empty net. The field conditions were terrible. It was 35 degrees and raining. It was a tough game all around.”