Scoring goals continues to be a problem for the Waupaca girls’ soccer team.
Shawano, New Holstein and Appleton Xavier picked up recent shutout wins over the Comets. Shawano handed Waupaca a 3-0 defeat April 17 and New Holstein and Xavier picked up a 4-0 wins April 16 and April 14, respectively.
Shawano 3, Waupaca 0
WAUPACA – The Hawks outshot the Comets 20-4 behind goals from Matisen Meyers, Megan Kitzke and Morgan Kitzke.
New Holstein 4, Waupaca 0
NEW HOLSTEIN – Karissa Preston scored twice for the Huskies, while Rachel Hansen and Tori Zipperer also found the net.
“As a group, we are struggling with ball possession,” coach Mark Polebitski said. “This will be the team’s focus over the next couple of weeks. We need to build confidence in the players to shield and protect the ball. Additionally the girls need to learn how to create space and use space forward of the ball. This is something that we worked on in practice, but as of yet are unable to execute this concept in a game situation.”
Xavier 4, Waupaca 0
WAUPACA – The Comets opened Eastern Valley Conference play against the Hawks and trailed 1-0 at halftime.
Xavier’s Hannah Wierzbinski scored the game’s only goal of the first half at the 40-minute mark and the Hawks added unassisted goals from Marissa Walsh, Wierzbinski and Megan Farr in the second half.
“We’ve been on our heels defensively in every game,” Polebitski said. “The defensive backs are starting to come together as a unit. Claire Jungers is stepping up her game in the sweeper position and is becoming more comfortable with every game.
“Goalkeeper Taylor Korth has really kept the scores down,” he added. “She is doing a remarkable job in the net for us.”
Waupaca’s nonconference home game against Wausau East originally scheduled for April 20 has been rescheduled for Thursday, May 21. The Comets played at Freedom April 21 and will host Wisconsin Rapids Assumption at 6 p.m. Friday, April 24.