Wildcat Win Streak Stopped

The winning streak for the girls’ soccer team ended at five games as the Wildcats suffered a 3-1 defeat at the feet of the Kenosha Christian Life Eagles in a non-conference game at USM Tuesday afternoon.

The Eagles dominated the first half.  The ball stayed on the USM side of the field for most of the half, and Kenosha Christian Life's senior goalie Nikki Nelson did not have to make a safe in the first forty minutes. 

Meanwhile the Eagles scored two goals.  The first came at 17:21.  Junior midfielder Haley Johnson dribbled the ball down the right side and sent a crossing pass into the middle of the Wildcats' penalty area. USM's sophomore goalkeeper Emily Wigdale came out to play the ball, but Kenosha Christian Life sophomore Vicky Rivera beat her to the ball and knocked it into the USM net.

The Eagles scored another goal at 24:12.  Once again Johnson outraced USM defenders along the right sideline and passed the ball into the penalty area to senior Karissa Martian. Martian forwarded a pass to senior Kirsten Olsen in the goalie box, and Olsen shot it in.

The Wildcats held off the Eagles' constant attack for the remainder of the first half.  At halftime USM's coaches Jason Rienzi and Patrick Flanagan rallied the Wildcats.  The USM players played with more intensity and displayed better soccer skills in the final forty minutes. 

Unfortunately for the Wildcats, their play only netted one goal. It came early in the half.  Junior Erika Hurth ran the ball down the right side.  She sent a quick cross deep into the Kenosha Christian Life penalty area. The ball went to freshman Amber Baker who turned, moved toward the goal, and fired a shot.  The ball skipped off of Nelson as she moved out to stop the shot and skittered to USM senior Paige Costakos, who directed it into the net at 45:13.

The teams played fiercely throughout the remainder of the half but only one final goal was scored.  Rivera scored it for the Eagles.  She gained the ball about 30 yards from the USM goal, made a move that caused a USM defender to overreact and then Rivera raced in on a breakaway.  From ten yards out she drilled a low shot past Wigdale to make the score 3-1 at 61:03.

In the game Nelson made 3 saves while Wigdale kept the score close for USM by making 12 saves.

Kenosha Christian Life is now 10-2.  USM is 10-6.  The Wildcats play in a Midwest Classic Conference North game against St. Joan Antida at 4:30 p.m. On Monday, May 16th at Gordon Park in Milwaukee.