Tigers win second WVC game in a row

By Paul Lecker

Sports Reporter

MARSHFIELD — Nina Hashimoto hit for the hat trick as the Marshfield girls soccer team edged Merrill 3-2 for its second-straight Wisconsin Valley Conference victory in a row.

Marshfield’s Eva Wahlstrom advances the ball during the second half of the Tigers’ win over Merrill on Tuesday at Griese Park.

Marshfield is now 5-10-1 overall and 4-5 in the Wisconsin Valley Conference. Merrill drops to 3-12-1 and 1-8-1 in the conference.

Hashimoto scored just 3:15 into the game as she slid one past Merrill goalie Maria Lane, who had extended out to the edge of the goalie box.

After Mae Litcschauer tied it for the Bluejays in the 14th minute with a high shot over Marshfield goalie Andrea Carolfi’s outstretched arms, Hashimoto scored again five minutes later on a breakaway, and the Tigers took a 2-1 lead into halftime.

Hashimoto, a freshman forward, scored again for Marshfield with 1:23 remaining in the game before Litcschauer added Merrill’s final score with just one second remaining.

“She (Hashimoto) has a knack for getting behind the defense,” Marshfield coach Steve Lindner said. “Her touch is incredible for a freshman. She is still learning, and when she masters some finer skills, she will be a force.”

Marshfeild plays at first-place D.C. Everest on Thursday.

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

Tigers 3, Bluejays 2

Merrill 1 1 – 2

Marshfield 2 1 – 3

First half: 1. MAR, Nina Hashimoto (Maddie Haessly), 3:15; 2. MER, Mae Litcschauer, 13:46; 3. MAR, Hashimoto, 18:59.

Second half: 4. MAR, Hashimoto (Ana Paape), 88:37; 5. MER, Litcschauer (Kate Peterson), 89:59.

Total shots: Merrill 10; Marshfield 28.

Shots on goal: Merrill 5; Marshfield 9.

Corner kicks: Merrill 2; Marshfield 6.

Saves: MER, Maria Lane 6; MAR, Andrea Carolfi 1, Wendy Rodriguez 4.

Records: Merrill 3-12-1, 1-8-1 Wisconsin Valley Conference; Marshfield 5-10-1, 4-5 Wisconsin Valley Conference.