Mosinee travelled to Rhinelander for a thrilling game vs. Rhinelander. The teams were neck and neck in the conference standings, and with a seeding meeting coming on Sunday, nothing was held back in the game. In the end, the Holtz brothers pulled Mosinee through.
Rhinelander’s pitch was smooth turf, the wind was non-existent, and there was a minimal amount of moisture in the air. This game would come down to just a few key plays. Rhinelander took the ball to Mosinee’s zone to begin with and had a chance or two on goal. Mosinee returned the favor with lightning-fast counters. Mosinee struck first with a through ball, only to have it called off by a razor-thin offsides call. That was a prelude for Cole Holtz’ through ball to Toren Holtz at 21”. Toren beat the last defender keying on him and finished the shot.
The teams went back and forth for the next few minutes, with the Hodags having at least one likely opportunity, only to have Keaton Wieloch turn them back. Then Greyde Rogers sent on a through ball on a quick counter, and Rhinelander couldn’t find Jaeger Dhein soon enough and he slipped the ball past the Rhinelander keeper, making it 2-0 Mosinee. The emotion of the moment filled the stadium, with coaches, players, officials, and fans all calling out on the play. From that moment on the game would have everyone on edge, and players banging into each other. The half ended with Mosinee up by the same score.
In the second half the intensity remained at a fever pitch. Both teams played with determination and force. Mosinee had a chance on goal that may have put the game away, but instead Rhinelander got the ball in the Mosinee penalty area. The Hodags pulled the trigger, and it was a one-goal game. Ten minutes later the Holtz brothers delivered a devastating blow. Even with man-marking to prevent an opportunity, Cole’s pass to a streaking Toren came into just enough space to return the game to a 2-goal Mosinee advantage.
With a more solid lead, Mosinee dropped into a defensive shell. The defensive style gave the Hodags more opportunity, and eventually they got a goal from distance. The pressure remained, but Mosinee kept the Hodags at bay. Just enough possession allowed Mosinee to preserve the lead, and Mosinee left with a hard-fought 3-2 victory.
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Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
