submitted by Mosinee Head Joseph Carlson
Waupaca was the host for the game, as the higher seed in the WIAA playoffs. However, these teams were evenly matched as could be. They tied in the regular season and had similar results against like opponents. It would come down to defense, and a goal for Mosinee from an unexpected source.
http://Mosinee Upends Waupaca in Boys Soccer Regional Semifinal
Mosinee started in brilliant fashion, pushing the ball down either flank. Colton Blank and Grant Gabrielski provided timely overlapping runs out of the defense while the forwards cracked shots. The midfield for Mosinee was quick to the ball and delivered accurate passes on the fast Waupaca turf. Mosinee’s right forward Cole Kowalski overwhelmed the defending fullback off of an assist from Garret Donohue, and gave Mosinee the 1-0 lead at 11:18. Mosinee only turned up the pressure from there, but nothing immediately resulted. Then Noah Stencil came on for Cole. While Noah does not typically get enormous minutes, he has a knack for being in the right place at the right time. Noah found himself with just a slim opening on the same right flank. Jaeger Dhein got Noah the ball where Noah took a hard, low shot and it glanced off the Waupaca keeper before he could react. Waupaca was reeling after Mosinee’s second goal. Mosinee continued to maintain possession, but no more goals could be mustered, making it Mosinee 2, Waupaca 1 at the half.
In the second half the Waupaca Comets played with the desperation of a team with their season on the line. The Comets got to the balls quicker and played up the field faster. Mosinee still had chances, but momentum was clearly in Waupaca’s favor. At 51:10 Waupaca’s Nate Lemkull got the break he needed when Liam Bloedel shifted the ball over to him from the left, and Nate finished the ball. If the game was spirited before, it reached a fever pitch at that point. Mosinee pushed up the middle, but Waupaca countered with skilled play through the midfield. The two teams were evenly matched across the field. Mosinee’s goalie Benjamin Harris combined with Josh Ivey and Trevor Tazelaar’s defensive effort turned away ever shot. As time slipped into the 70’s, Waupaca’s play got more and more desperate. Mosinee held on for the 2-1 victory.
Mosinee advances to play Medford in the regional final. The game will be 7pm on Saturday, October 22, at Medford. You can watch that game live right here at OnFocus
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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]
