It was a chance for the Waupaca Comet girls’ soccer team to move up in the Eastern Valley Conference standings.
It was also a chance for Fox Valley Lutheran to keep pace with league-leading Appleton Xavier.
Waupaca scored an early goal Monday, May 7, but came out on the short end of a 2-1 score to the Foxes.
The Comets also defeated New Holstein Friday, May 4, and picked up a 3-1 conference win Tuesday, May 1 over Berlin.
FVL 2, Waupaca 1
WAUPACA – Karissa Smith put Waupaca on the board 14 minutes into the game with an unassisted goal from 30 yards out.
The lead didn’t last long, however, as FVL’s Abigail Goss scored three minutes later. Neither team scored again until midway through the second half, as Molly Page scored off of an assist from Jessica Retzlaff.
The Foxes outshot the Comets 9-6 and Waupaca goalkeeper Josie Waitrovich finished with seven saves.
Waupaca 1, New Holstein 0
WAUPACA – Mikaila Johnson and Lizzi Hanke teamed up for the game’s only goal five minutes into the second half.
Hanke won the ball at midfield and played the ball over the top to Johnson, who beat the last defender.
“The goal was one of the best we’ve seen all season on both sides of the ball,” coach Mark Polebitski said. “Lizzi and Mikaila are really starting to click up front. Josie made some great saves in the goal against a very good New Holstein squad to earn the shutout.”
Waitrovich finished with nine saves as Waupaca outshot the Huskies 11-9.
Waupaca 3, Berlin 1
BERLIN – Johnson scored twice and Hanke added a goal in a win over the Indians.
Hanke found the net six minutes into the game off of an assist from Alyssa Nicewander and Johnson gave Waupaca a 2-0 lead at the 30-minute mark, with Sierra Patzke getting the assist.
Berlin cut the lead in half early in the second half on Kelsey Gonyo’s unassisted goal, but Hanke assisted Johnson at the 65-minute mark for the game’s final score.
Waupaca outshot Berlin 14-7 and Waitrovich finished with six saves.
“The girls put together some great combinations on the offensive side of the ball,” Polebitski said. “They created a number of quality scoring opportunities against a pretty tough Berlin defense.”
Waupaca will host the 17th annual Comet Invitational Saturday, May 12. Teams from Clintonville, Marinette, Marshfield, North Fond du Lac, Northland Pines, Sauk Prairie and Kingsford, Mich., are scheduled to compete. Games are slated to start at 9 a.m.