By Paul Lecker

Sports Reporter

MARSHFIELD – The Marshfield Columbus Catholic soccer team is in the midst of a conference title chase and wasn’t about to slip up against winless Northland Lutheran.

The Dons dominated from start to finish and cruised to a 6-0 victory on Monday at Griese Park.

Columbus Catholic improves to 7-2-2 overall and 5-1 in the Mid-State Soccer Conference. The Dons entered play Monday in a tie for first place with Stevens Point Pacelli, and the two held a one-half game lead over McDonell/Regis and Wausau Newman Catholic. M/R was at Pacelli on Monday.

Columbus scored twice in the opening 7 minutes – on goals from Alexandra Hutchison and Sean McCarthy – to open up a quick lead.

The Dons continued to pepper Northland Lutheran goalkeeper Kyle Griesbach, but couldn’t get anything else past him before halftime.

It was frustrating for the Dons, but they held to their game plan and finally got some to fall in the second half.

“It was very frustrating but it’s part of the game,” Columbus Catholic coach Jeff Edwards said. “We just have to be able to finish better as a team and make sure we press the goal for rebounds.”

McCarthy scored twice, Ryan Dieringer and Christian Payant each added a goal during a 15-minute span to push the lead to 6-0.

McCarthy had a hat trick for the fourth time this season, and he also added an assist. Tara Brock and Dieringer also had assists for Columbus.

“It seemed our whole 10 on the field were pushing up as a team,” McCarthy said.

Northland Lutheran (0-6, 0-4 Mid-State) had just one shot on goal and that didn’t come until 5:35 was left in the game.

The second half of the Mid-State season starts Thursday when the Dons host McDonell/Regis at 5 p.m. at Griese Park.

“I think it’s going to be a tough fight between us, Pacelli and Regis,” Edwards said. “Newman is also a good team. We’re kind of a good position right now.”

Dons 6, Wildcats 0
Northland Lutheran 0 0 – 0
Columbus Catholic 2 4 – 6
First half: 1. CC, Alexandra Hutchison, 3:56; 2. CC, Sean McCarthy (Tara Brock), 6:58.
Second half: 3. CC, McCarthy (Ryan Dieringer), 58:16; 4. CC, Dieringer (McCarthy), 59:38; 5. CC, Christian Payant, 71:41; 6. CC, McCarthy (Christian Payant), 73:40.
Shots on goal: Northland Lutheran 1; Columbus Catholic 29.
Saves: NL, Kyle Griesbach 23; CC, Evan Hansen 0, Bailey Keffer 1.
Records: Northland Lutheran 0-6, 0-4 Mid-State Soccer Conference; Columbus Catholic 7-2-2, 5-1 Mid-State.