River Falls girls soccer get best of BRC foes

• Wildcat Soccer

Wildcat senior Jenna Kizlik (12) slips through a trio of Hudson defenders before sending a cross in front of the net in the girls’ soccer team’s 5-0 victory over the Raiders Thursday night in Hudson. The Wildcats also defeated Chippewa Falls, 1-0, last week to improve to 4-1-1 overall, 3-0-1 in Big Rivers Conference play.

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The Wildcat girls’ soccer team posted its fourth and fifth shutouts of the season last week and ran its Big Rivers Conference unbeaten streak to 15 games with a 1-0 victory Tuesday at Chippewa Falls and a 5-0 win Thursday at Hudson.

The two victories improved the Cats’ record to 4-1-1 overall, 3-0-1 in the BRC and one point ahead of Eau Claire Memorial (3-0-0) for first place in the conference standings. The Cats and Old Abes squared off this past Tuesday in Eau Claire for sole possession of first place (check www.riverfallsjournal.com for results).

Last Thursday’s 5-0 win at Hudson was the Wildcats fifth shutout in six games this season and the 25th shutout in 28 games dating back to the start of last season.

“I realized that last night after the game as I was looking through some of our stuff,” Wildcat head coach Charles Conley said about the shutout streak. “I was amazed with this statistic; our group has really bought into our system and executes it very well. It proves to them, how discipline, and a well-executed style of play, can really put you in a position to be there in the end in every match.”

Thursday’s match at Hudson was never in doubt as the Wildcats scored a pair of goals in the first half and three more after intermission while outshooting the Raiders 18-3.

Ellie Nelson scored a pair of goals and Alexi Bopray, Bailey LaPoint and Danni Filkins added one each while goalkeeper Paige Meyer stopped all three shots she faced.

Conley said the Wildcats needed a breakout game offensively. The team hadn’t scored more than one goal since a 4-0 victory over Rice Lake in the season opener April 10.

“It also helps that we got a lot healthier over the past couple of days,” he said. “Being at full strength makes a world of a difference.”

Last Tuesday at Chippewa Falls, Micah Bennett scored the only goal of the game in the first half, burying the rebound of a shot by Jenna Kizlik, and Meyer made three saves in a 1-0 victory over the Cardinals.

The Cats played without LaPoint, Emily Gregg, Lauren Kizlik and Rheanna Steele due to injuries, yet still outshot Chippewa 22-3. Conley said the team struggled to find its rhythm.

“As long as teams aren’t scoring on us though, we are fine,” he said. “As a team, our defending has been very good.”

Following Tuesday’s match at Eau Claire Memorial, the Wildcats will play their eighth straight road game to start the season Thursday, April 26, at Menomonie (0-3-1). They play two more road games Saturday, April 28, at the Eau Claire North Invitational before playing their first home game of the season Thursday, May 3, at 5 p.m. against Rice Lake (0-3-0).

“It is still early,” Conley said about the schedule “This group, I believe, has a number of great opportunities this season. However, we need to continue to work hard in training and work to get better every day.”

Tags: river falls, sports