Tigers host Ashwaubenon on Thursday

By Paul Lecker

Sports Reporter

MARSHFIELD — Unable to mount much of an offensive threat going into a stiff wind in the second half, the Marshfield boys soccer team dug in defensively to try to hold on to a slim lead.

The Tigers were successful for a while, but a defensive foul in the goalie box proved to be a game changer.

Kyle Palmberg drilled home a penalty kick at the 66:02 mark, and Braydon Kreibich scored just four minutes later to lift Holmen to a 3-2 win over Marshfield in the 2017 season opener for both teams on Tuesday at Griese Park.

Quintin Olson scored at the 24:14 mark of the first half before Marshfield pulled in front.

Marshfield freshman Elijah Hubler-Marti’s shot was initially blocked by Holmen goalie Jackson Lutz, but when Lutz attempted to corral the ball, it slipped through his fingers and into the net for an own goal that tied the game at 1-1 at the 29:06 mark.

Just 2:14 later, Hubler-Marti scored on a penalty kick to put the Tigers up 2-1, and that lead held for the next 35 minutes.

Marshfield was unable to put a solid shot on goal in the second half, and eventually Holmen was able to take control and find a way to pull out the victory.

“Some positive stuff out there,” Marshfield coach Steve McCann said. “I think there were some good runs. The attacking with some of our forwards, we just weren’t getting the ball to them. We had some simple passes available, and we weren’t making the passes, and overall our traps were poor. Lots of stuff to work on, but some potential.”

At times, Marshfield had as many as six freshmen and sophomores on the field at once. McCann knows the team will go through growing pains early in the season, but likes what he sees so far.

“We had freshmen out there, sophomores out running around, just a ton of potential,” McCann said. “I like their energy in practice and the stuff they’re bringing to the table. I have bright hopes for the season, but this was our contest at a varsity speed.”

Marshfield hosts Ashwaubenon on at 5 p.m. Thursday at Griese Park.

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

Vikings 3, Tigers 2

Holmen 1 2 – 3

Marshfield 2 0 – 2

First half: 1. H, Quintin Olson (Evan Espelien), 24:14; 2. M, Holmen own goal, 29:06; 3. M, Elijah Hubler-Marti (penalty kick), 31:20.

Second half: 4. H, Kyle Palmberg (penalty kick), 66:02; 5. H, Braydon Kreibich, 70:41.

Shots on goal: Holmen 10; Marshfield 6.

Saves: H, Jackson Lutz 5; M, Matt Pahl 8.

Corner kicks: Holmen 1; Marshfield 5.

Records: Holmen 1-0; Marshfield 0-1.