By Paul Lecker

Sports Reporter

MARSHFIELD — Kaitlyn Hess scored twice in a 14-minute span of the first half, and it proved to be enough for Wisconsin Rapids in a 2-1 victory over Marshfield in a Wisconsin Valley Conference girls soccer matchup Thursday at Griese Park.

Hess scored at the 26:13 mark of the first half off an assist from Mia Iwanski and popped a shot over Marshfield goalie Andrea Carolfi with 4:09 to go in the half to put Rapids (3-3-1 overall, 2-1-1 Wisconsin Valley Conference) ahead 2-0.

Marshfield’s Julia Urban provided the only goal for the Tigers, scoring on a penalty kick midway through the second half.

Marshfield (2-4, 0-3 WVC) had just two other shots on goal, both of which were saved by Chani Pulchinski.

“We played very lethargic and out of sync the first half but picked up the intensity in the second half,” Marshfield coach Steve Lindner said. “Our challenges on 50-50 balls was very slow, and we allowed Rapids to connect far too many passes throughout the game.”

Marshfield hosts Ashland in a nonconference game at 5 p.m. Friday.

(Hub City Times Sports Reporter Paul Lecker is also the publisher of MarshfieldAreaSports.com.)

Raiders 2, Tigers 1

Wisconsin Rapids 2 0 – 2

Marshfield 0 1 – 1

First half: 1. WR, Kaitlyn Hess (Mia Iwanski), 26:13; 2. WR, Hess (Katie Kiiskila), 40:51.

Second half: 3. M, Julia Urban (penalty kick).

Saves: WR, Chani Pulchinski 2; M, Andrea Carolfi 6.

Records: Wisconsin Rapids 3-3-1, 2-1-1 Wisconsin Valley Conference; Marshfield 2-4, 0-3 WVC.