Booters dominate in BRC wins

• Wildcat senior Taylor Kizlik

Bob Burrows photo Wildcat senior Taylor Kizlik dribbles past a Chippewa Falls player near midfield in the first half of the Cats’ 3-0 victory over the Cardinals April 14 at Wildcat Field.

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The Wildcat girls’ soccer team continued its early season domination last week with two more shutout victories, defeating Eau Claire North 5-0 on the road April 12 before blanking Chippewa Falls, 3-0, April 14 at home.

The Cats have not allowed a goal in their first three games this season while outscoring their opponents 14-0.

First-year head coach Charles Conley said he’s pleased with the team’s good start, but would like to see the team score even more.

“I am proud of where we are at and how we are playing,” he said. “However, our shot total to goals scored is still a concern for us. Chalk it up to early season rust. Hopefully we can shake this rust and begin to capitalize on our opportunities.”

The Cats outshot Eau Claire North 21-0 in last Tuesday’s victory and scored all five of their goals in the first half, including two in the opening six minutes. The Cats recorded 14 shots and took nine corner kicks before halftime.

River Falls’ first three goals all came off corner kicks. Taylor Kizlik put the Cats on the board in the third minute with an assist from Bailey LaPoint before LaPoint scored three minutes later, assisted by Jenna Kizlik. Mariah Kaiser scored the third goal off a corner kick in the 35th minute with an assist from Sarah Vitale.

Kaiser’s goal opened the floodgates as the Cats scored two more times in the final three minutes. Vitale scored a sliding goal near the back post after a cross by Ellise Heiman to make it a 4-0 game before LaPoint picked up her second goal of the game, assisted by Vitale, just before the halftime whistle.

River Falls finished with 13 corner kicks compared to zero for Eau Claire North.

Thursday against Chippewa Falls, LaPoint scored the only goal of the first half, assisted by Kaiser, before Jenna Kizlik and Vitale added goals in the second half to give the Cats a 3-0 victory. Tara Frey assisted on the goal by Kizlik while Kizlik picked up an assist on Vitale’s goal. Goalkeeper Paige Meyer recorded her third shutout in three games.

The Cats were scheduled to visit Hudson (1-1) this past Tuesday and will host Eau Claire Memorial (2-0-2) Thursday at 5 p.m. at Wildcat Field. Conley said both teams will provide strong challenges.

“We are moving the ball extremely well and the girls are focused and intent on learning and applying my style of play,” he said. “We are anxious to see how we size up against Hudson and Memorial this week.”

Tags: sports, soccer, prep