Grafton girls’ soccer players are learning well on the pitch

By MITCH MAERSCH

Ozaukee Press staff

It may not always show it on the scoreboard, but the young Grafton High School girls’ soccer team is showing improvement.

The Black Hawks on Monday lost at home to kettle Moraine Lutheran, 5-2. They were down, 4-1, at halftime.

“It was a good second half. We were able to possess the ball a little more,” coach Jason Rogers said.

Sophia Goetz scored on a free kick and Brayleigh Sumner scored on a penalty kick.

“The whole team is starting to come together a little better. We keep talking about starting games faster, better than we have in the past,” Rogers said.

Last Thursday, the Hawks lost to Homestead, 8-2.

They fell behind, 2-0, in the game’s first 61 seconds.

“We kind of clawed our way back,” Rogers said.

Sumner scored on the first penalty kick she ever took. She told her coach she was nervous, but Rogers said she looked like a veteran when she knocked the ball into the back of the net.

For Grafton’s second goal, Olivia Ruf beat a couple of Highlanders and passed to Ella Gentz for a score.

“We’re starting to piece things together right at the right time. We’re starting to play a little bit better,” Rogers said.

At Slinger on May 16, the Hawks lost, 3-0. They were down, 3-0, at halftime, and Rogers talked to his team about being physical.

“We have to play hard. I don’t think Slinger was quite ready for us being physical. We kind of caught them off guard. It was a much better effort from the girls in the second half. It’s something you can hang your hat on,” he said.

“For me it’s a good thing to see they’re putting things we’re trying to implement into a game. I wasn’t expecting them to get into it right away.”

Grafton, 1-9, was to play at Sheboygan Lutheran/Christian on Wednesday, May 24.

The Hawks earned an 11 seed and play at No 6 Shorewood on Thursday, June 1, in the Division 3 playoffs.

Port’s losing streak hits eight

Port Washington lost to Plymouth, 4-3, on May 16, and fell to 3-9.

Port was to host Hartford on Tuesday, May 23, and play at West Bend East/West on Thursday, May 25.

Port earned a 10 seed in the Division 2 playoffs and plays at No. 7 Kaukauna on Tuesday, May 30.