Hodag Highlights: RHS soccer team falls in regional final

The season has come to an end for the Rhinelander High School girls soccer team.
On Thursday, the Hodags hosted Mosinee in a regional semifinal.
The Hodags led 4-0 at the half and scored 4 more in the first 20 minutes of the second half to end the game via the mercy rule. Gabby Wanta scored the 8th goal at the 59:21 mark, leaving 39 seconds left in the game.
On Saturday, the No. 1 seed Hodags faced the No. 4 seed Waupaca Comets at Mike Webster stadium for the regional title. The Hodags scored first in the 9th minute on a Vivian Lamers goal with an assist from Jordan Manske. Waupaca tied the score in the 27th minute on a direct free kick by Ava Kneer that snuck in under the crossbar past the outstretched hand of keeper Rylee Mickevicius. The score was tied 1-1 at the half.

Two minutes into the second half the Comets scored their second goal off a corner kick from Kneer that was headed into the net by Taylor Kling. The Hodags were unable to find the back of the net in the second half and lost 2-1 to end the season. The Hodags were outshot in the contest and the Comets held the edge in shots on goal. The Hodags ended the season with a 13-6 record and tied for the conference championship.
Conference defensive player of the year Mia Tulowitzky, first team unanimous all-conference forward Sophia Miljevich and honorable mention forward Leah Weigel played their final game for the Hodags, having graduated earlier this month. Coach Nathan Bates shared the coach of the year honors with Lakeland’s Stephanie Hartzheim.