Once organized, Grafton can play

It took a couple of games to get the defense figured out, but the Grafton High School girls’ soccer team now has its pieces in place.

After dropping games to tough North Shore Conference opponents, the Black Hawks won two games on Saturday in Kewaskum.

It has been a busy season with four games in five days, but longtime coach Don Arnold said nobody is complaining after last year’s season was canceled.

“We’re just happy to be out on the field,” he said.

Against Hartford on May 4, the Hawks lost 5-1.

“They were very fast and skilled. Our first couple of games, we were just trying to figure things out defensively,” Arnold said.

“The girls were definitely excited. You could tell by how they played.”

Senior Marie Weinhold scored the Hawks’ goal, following up on a shot by senior Bella Rapp.

At Cedarburg last Thursday, the Hawks fell behind 2-0 and a comeback bid fell short in a 3-1 loss.

“The girls never stopped fighting and coming back,” Arnold said of his team after digging a two-goal hole.

Hailey Weisgerber made it 2-1 on a free kick, and the Hawks put some pressure on the Bulldogs. In the 85th minute, Cedarburg got its third goal and sealed the win.

“We talked after the game. We don’t want to be OK with the loss but we understand we got better,” Arnold said.

On Saturday, the Hawks played their best game of the young season in a 1-0 win over Kewaskum, one of the teams in Grafton’s sectional.

“That was a great game for us defensively. Our shape in the back was fantastic. Everybody’s effort was fantastic,” Arnold said.

Rapp scored after a throw-in in the 18th minute, and the defense took it from there.

“We were organized in back. The passing lanes were covered,” Arnold said. “We became a solid defense in the back.”

Without much of a break, the tired Hawks beat a fatigued Kiel team, 4-0.

Weinhold dribbled through a couple of defenders and scored in the 19th minute, and nine minutes later Rapp hit one from 20 yards out.

“We came out and controlled the game,” Arnold said.

Elizabeth Sewart scored in the 48th and 65th minutes, first on a nice shot and next off a corner kick.

“We like to see some of those scrappy goals,” Arnold said.

The Hawks have 27 players in the program this season and are missing a couple players who sustained injuries in the offseason.

“We’ve got a solid group of seniors and some new players,” Arnold said.

On offense, Rapp and Weinhold are interchangeable at forward and central midfield. Arnold said they are two of the best players in the conference.

“They’re very dangerous, very dynamic on the ball,” he said.

Sewart can score as well, and Weisgerber locks in at central midfield and distributes the ball.

Defensively, senior Cora Danielson is leading at center back. Freshman Allison Viesselmann is an outside defender and Jordan Walton is the marking back position. Senior Julia Sandoval is at midfield.

“Those four in Kewaskum really clicked,” Arnold said.

Junior Arden Riddle, who has club experience, is solid at goalkeeper, he said.

The team goals are to get better every day and play a high level of soccer come playoff time.

“Our goal is to make it to the state tournament and see what happens from there,” Arnold said. “Grafton girls’ soccer hasn’t changed its mentality.”

The Hawks were to play at Port Washington on Tuesday and host Slinger at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 18.