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Pirates dominate Tritons in matchup of defending state champions

By Murray Gleffe
Correspondent


GREEN BAY—The Bay Port girls soccer team left no doubt on this night the WIAA Division 1 state tournament still has to go through them.

The Pirates scored 38 seconds into the contest en route to a convincing 5-1 Fox River Classic Conference victory over the Notre Dame Academy Tritons May 21 at Ted Fritsch Field.

“We knew we were going to have to come out quick in this game,” said Bay Port head coach Brooke Mraz. “Notre Dame always puts together a talented squad. They are a powerful offense and I felt like we flipped the switch with three goals ourselves in the first half.”

Megan Nygaard made five saves in goal for the Pirates while Carlene Goral stopped 13 shots for the Tritons.

Off the opening tap, the Pirates gained control as Katy Kane sent the ball downfield.

After a couple failed clearing attempts by the Tritons, Emma Nagel lined up a corner kick as Pirates freshman Lauren Bradley cut to the middle and sent a laser in that found the back of the net to give the visitors an early 1-0 lead.

Sophia Woodward got Notre Dame’s first shot on goal 22 minutes into the contest by lacing a 35- yard look from the left hash that was turned back by Nygaard.

Then just a minute later, the Pirates struck again as Mac Johnson danced around the front of the goal after getting the ball from a teammate and put the shot home to give Bay Port a 2-0 lead.

Just before halftime, Lindsay Herber found Bradley who added her second goal of the night and suddenly the Pirates led 3-0 heading into halftime.

“Our goals were set up with good passing,” said Bradley. “It is a big soccer rivalry matchup between the two teams, and I thought our intensity and passion were really good. It’s a big win for us late in the season as we enter the tournament.”

Neither team could muster many shots on goal to start the second half, but in the 65th minute that changed after Nagel scored on a scissor kick to give the Pirates an almost insurmountable four-goal lead.

The Tritons got on the board with 18 minutes left in the game.

Emily Lin sent in a beautiful corner to senior Keighley Blindauer who elevated and sent in a header just inside the crossbar.

“We’ve really put an emphasis on finishing off free kicks,” said Notre Dame coach Bob Rickards. “They did a nice job on that set. We have to find more of that now in these games moving forward in the postseason.”

The Pirates added an insurance goal with Jenna Jacques providing the final margin.

“The girls know that everybody is going to give them their best game,” added Mraz. “We are heading into season two where its win and move on or lose and go home. We need to maintain our focus and look at the opponent before us.”

Box score

Bay Port: 3, 2—5

Notre Dame: 0, 1—1

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