By Murray Gleffe
Correspondent
ASHWAUBENON—The Ashwaubenon boys’ soccer team dropped a 7-1 decision to Wrightstown in a non-conference game at the Ashwaubenon Sports Complex Sept. 30.
“Our youth really showed tonight,” said Rick Kremer, Ashwaubenon head coach. “We started five freshmen and three sophomores, and the kids are battling hard. It’s quite an experience for them to be in there.”
The Tigers didn’t waste any time getting on the scoreboard.
They punched a goal through in the 4th minute of the game to take a 1-0 lead.
Ashwaubenon hung tough with backup goalie Maverick VanLaanen making six saves in the next 20 minutes to keep the team down only one goal.
However, the onslaught came when Wrightstown scored in the 25th, 26th and 34th minutes to take a 4-0 lead into halftime.
Sandwiched in between was an apparent goal by Ashwaubenon’s Pacey Dickinson, but the lead official called the Jags for offsides to deny the score.
“It definitely would have been a huge momentum builder to cut their lead to two goals,” added Kramer. “The ref made the right call, as we were in front of the play.”
The Jaguars came out with a head of steam in the second half.
Joseph Bachmeier and Kaleb Coble got shots on goal in the first three minutes – though both were turned away with good saves by the Tigers goalkeeper.
In the 64th minute, Ashwaubenon forward Aidan Christensen got loose on the right sidelines and sent a nice pass to teammate Peyton Goffard, who knocked the ball into the back of the net to cut the Tigers lead to 4-1.
“Peyton kept the ball in front of him, and both did an excellent job getting the goal and assist,” Kramer said. “We played better soccer the first part of the second half.”
With 22 minutes left in the game, the Jaguars lost two of their better players to injury.
The Tigers tallied goals in the 69th and 71st minute.
Nick Alexander took a rebound and converted for Wrightstown’s final goal to end the game on a flurry.
“We try to make practices fun, and we try to keep getting better every game,” said Kramer. “We have to stay healthy to have enough bodies on the field with the physicality of the sport.”
Box score
Wrightstown: 4, 3—7
Ashwaubenon: 0, 1—1