State soccer: Sheboygan North shuts out Muskego in Division 1 semifinal

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Sheboygan North just kept on attacking.

The Golden Raiders used a goal in the final seconds of the first half and a relentless attack the rest of the way to down Muskego, 3-0, in a Division 1 state semifinal on Thursday night at Uihlein Soccer Park.

"That goal in the first half, it bounced in the wrong direction. One missed mark and that's the turn of the game," Muskego head coach Lance Matthews said. "We played our hearts out for the first 44 minutes. Small let downs create great opportunities for the other team."

North took advantage of that great opportunity.

As they did in their sectional final win over Arrowhead, the Golden Raiders (21-1-1) found the back of the net for the first time right before the end of the first half.

BOX SCORE: Sheboygan North 3, Muskego 0

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On the team's ninth shot of the day, sophomore Maggie Mueller broke a scoreless tie with 10 seconds left in the half. Mueller slipped past the back line of the Warriors (13-4-2) defense on a pass from senior Mary Schmidt, tucking a shot inside the far post at 44:50.

The Warriors turned away a handful of Golden Raiders threats to open the second half, but a goal off a corner kick made it, 2-0, in the 67th minute.

Sophomore Leah Moyer sent a ball into the penalty box that sailed over the head of Muskego goalkeeper Lexys Ryg and right to McKayla Kertscher, who directed a header into the vacant goal for a 2-0 lead.

"The attack has been their specialty," Matthews said. "They have some very strong players in their attack. I thought we came in prepared, but they just outworked us."

Kertscher effectively put the game away just over 10 minutes later. Moments after subbing back into the contest, the midfielder lofted a shot that dropped perfectly between the hands of Ryg and the crossbar.

The Warriors were unable to develop a consistent attack for most of the game, but had a handful of chances to get on the board in the first half.

Before either team had notched a goal, Muskego earned four corner kicks . As with Jackie Jares' breakaway strike that was saved by North goalkeeper Meredith Opie in the 38th minute, the Warriors just couldn't break through.

"(Corner kicks) were part of our plan for what we could do to beat them," Matthews said. "We tried to earn those corners and had the breakaway early."

Jares' shot attempt proved to be the lone one on the day for Muskego, which was outshot 15 to 1.

The Warriors were making its fifth consecutive appearance at state, but dropped its record to 0-5 in those tournaments.

They will be back, Matthews said.

"We only up our work rate from here," he said. "Each year we try and try to build for this game. We have great goals and we have hard work. We’ll continue to keep it going."