By Murray Gleffe
Correspondent
KAUKAUNA – Emma Nagel scored the only goal of the game as the Bay Port girls’ soccer team defeated Kimberly 1-0 at Kaukauna High School in a WIAA Division 1 sectional final game June 8.
“We knew it would be a battle,” said Bay Port head coach Brooke Mraz. “I told these girls that we are playing our best soccer now. I’m just so proud of this group of girls and how we have fought through the season as a collective whole. I think the heat and wind played a key factor in making sure we substituted enough and stayed fresh. I am very thankful of the outcome.”
Kimberly gave the Pirates (21-2) one of their two losses on the season, a 4-1 defeat April 5.
With the temperature pushing the mid-’80s and the wind blowing out of the south at 20-25 mph, Bay Port elected to go against the wind for the first half.
In the 10th minute, Nagel sent in a cross to freshman Lauren Bradley who broke free of the Kimberly defense.
However, the side official called Bradley offside at the last second.
The Papermakers countered with a golden opportunity themselves in the 29th minute.
Elsi Twombly ripped a free kick just over the waning arms of Pirates goaltender Megan Nygaard.
Both teams exchanged shots but neither could find the net.
With just three minutes left until halftime, Nagel appeared to put Bay Port up 1-0 when she nailed a header off a corner from Mac Johnson.
However, the center official ruled that Nagel had interfered with Papermakers goalie Carly Olson, and the goal was disallowed.
Bay Port gladly accepted the wind-aided side of the field for the second half and wasted no time firing shots in on goal.
Each time, however, Olson came up with the save.
With so much on the line, the play started to become fierce, as a yellow and red card were issued to player and team personnel midway through half number two.
In the 61st minute, Pirates midfielder Ava Style was tackled to the ground, and Bay Port was awarded a free kick.
With Kimberly building a wall, Johnson tapped the ball to Nagel, who sent in a curving, 21-yard shot that found the back of the net giving the Pirates a 1-0 lead.
“It was a great set piece,” added Mraz. “I’m just glad Emma got a good leg on the shot to put us out in front. I figured going in it could come down to one goal.”
Kimberly continued to advance the ball in the Bay Port zone, but each time the defense was up to the test.
“We pride ourselves on the back line,” said Pirates defender Hailey Kane. “We did everything we could to keep Kimberly’s offense from going off like they did in our first game. I think we did a pretty good job of that today.”
The Pirates dodged one final shot by Alexis Roessler as the Pirates advanced to the state tournament for the third straight year.
“We are excited to be representing our school down in Milwaukee,” added Mraz. “We’ll start doing preparation right away for our next opponent.”
Box score
Bay Port: 0, 1—1
Kimberly: 0, 0—0
