By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor
SUAMICO – Sometimes a loss can be good for a team.
Last season, the Bay Port girls’ soccer team lost a regular-season game to Sheboygan North, but then went on to win the rematch against the Golden Raiders in the WIAA Division 1 state final game.
The Pirates are hoping for a repeat scenario this year after they dropped a 2-1 contest to North May 7 at Bay Port High School.
The Golden Raiders broke a 1-1 tie in the 84th minute to go home with the victory.
“Hands down, Sheboygan North outplayed us,” said Bay Port head coach Brooke Mraz. “They looked sharper, more together and earned that game. It’s a good learning block for us. Sometimes these games are good reminders of where we need to be. Hopefully this game can be exactly that.”
The Pirates’ (12-2-0 overall, 4-1 FRCC) only loss last season was to North (9-2-0, 4-0), but they avenged the loss with a 3-1 victory in the state finals.
“Just like that last year when we lost to them, this was a one-goal game,” Mraz said. “We can tell the girls it happened last year, and we came back strong to end the season. Hopefully we can do it again this year.”
Coming into the game, Bay Port had outscored its opponents in conference play 19-0, while the Golden Raiders had done so 21-0.
North’s Ashley English blasted a 35-yard, left-footed kick that Bay Port goalie Megan Nygaard had no chance on in the 23rd minute for a 1-0 lead.
McKenzie Johnson answered in the 43rd minute to tie the game at one.
Johnson took a perfect ball from Alaina Abel on a free kick at midfield and beat Golden Raiders goalie Meredith Opie.
“We got away from our system of a play a little bit,” added Mraz. “Overall, we forced too many balls up the middle, played a little too frantic, weren’t staying connected and transitioning together. We have a ways to go on unity and cohesiveness – it takes time. This loss stings a little bit, but I am more concerned about us building to be playing our best soccer in June.”
English scored her second of the night with 6:08 showing on the clock, before Emma Nagel hit the crossbar with a 25-yard shot seconds after North went ahead 2-1.