Evergreens score game’s only goal in 70th minute

By Paul Lecker

Sports Reporter

MARSHFIELD — In a game where scoring opportunities were at a premium, it seemed that Tuesday’s Wisconsin Valley Conference boys soccer match between Marshfield and D.C. Everest was headed for a scoreless tie.

However, the Tigers suffered an unlucky break when they were called for a handball in the goalie box in the 70th minute, and Tamirat Knutson connected on a penalty kick for the game’s only goal as D.C. Everest held on for a 1-0 victory at Griese Park.

The loss snapped Marshfield’s two-game winning streak, and the Tigers fall to 3-4 overall and 1-3 in the WVC. Everest improves to 5-2 and 2-2 in the conference.

It was a game of attrition up to the penalty as neither team had many good scoring opportunities. Everest made a push at the Marshfield goal when a kick hit a back-pedaling Tiger player in the hand about 5 feet in front of the net.

Knutson stepped up and drilled the penalty kick to the lower-left corner at the 69:43 mark for the lone score.

“They didn’t have too many good looks,” Marshfield coach Steve McCann said. “We were marking up decently on some of the corner kicks and free kicks. In the field of play, they were in the right spot most of the time. I thought they did a great job locking it down on defense.”

Marshfield put together three solid scoring opportunities in the final 18 minutes but came up empty.

Evan Weister hit the right post from point-blank range in the 73rd minute, Kyle Tremelling missed wide left after a nice crossing pass from Kevin Cassidy with 11 minutes to go, and Alexander Giles just missed high on a header with about 5½ minutes remaining.

“I think that was some of our best soccer all season,” McCann said of the final push Marshfield made at trying to tie the game. “Against a good opponent, they played a good final 15 minutes. I’m proud of the guys. They’re making progress.”

Tommy Olson had six saves in goal for the Tigers. Ty Tretter and Cole Seymour shared goalkeeper duties for D.C. Everest and had two saves apiece.

Marshfield plays at Wausau East on Thursday at 5 p.m.

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

Evergreens 1, Tigers 0

D.C. Everest 0 1 – 1

Marshfield 0 0 – 0

Second half: 1. DC, Tamirat Knutson, PK, 69:43.

Total shots: D.C. Everest 13; Marshfield 7.

Shots on goal: DCE 7; M 4.

Corner kicks: DCE 3; M 4.

Saves: DC, Ty Tretter 2, Cole Seymour 2. M, Tommy Olson 6.

Records: D.C. Everest 5-2, 2-2 Wisconsin Valley Conference; Marshfield 3-4, 1-3 WVC.