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April 17, 2009

Royals outlast upstart Newman

By Michael Kommer
For the Daily Tribune

For the first time in the long-standing rivalry between Assumption and Wausau Newman Catholic high schools, the two met under the lights at Washington Field in Wisconsin Rapids for a regular-season varsity girls soccer game.

But despite keeping the game close through the half, the Cardinals were unable to keep the Royals off the board, as Assumption went on to a 3-0 victory.

"We knew we were going to have our hands full; we always do," Newman coach Doug Ross said. "I am proud of the effort the girls gave tonight. Assumption is a great team, and I think we learned a lot tonight."

The Cardinals kept Assumption's offense frustrated throughout the first half. The Royals had several chances to take a lead over Newman, but the Cardinals defense was able to crowd the box and keep the ball away from keeper Merriam Mistlebauer.

"They packed in their defense to limit our shots," said Assumption junior Anna Kinzel, who had an assist. "But they allowed us to pass the ball around the outside and open up their defense."

With a minute left before halftime, Assumption's Rebecca Sigler gave the Royals a 1-0 lead when she look a shot that went over Mistlebauer's head and tucked under the crossbar.

"Early on we were just trying to send the ball too much," said Sigler, who finished with a goal and an assist. "We were not using our speed, but the goal broke the tension, and got the game going for us."

Assumption struck again 15 minutes into the second half as senior Jada Straub put the ball past Mistlebauer, giving the Royals a 2-0 lead.

"We're making progress," Assumption coach John Bingham said. "Newman played hard and came to play. They were shooting to keep us out of he net for the first half, and were building momentum, but when we scored we took the momentum."

The Royals closed out the scoring with 10 minutes left in regulation when senior Hannah Osowski deflected the ball past Mistlebauer on a pass from Sigler.

Royals 3, Cardinals 0

Newman 0 0 -- 0

Assumption 1 2 -- 3

First Half: 1. A, Rebecca Sigler (Kallie Reinke) 39:00.

Second Half: 2. A: Jada Straub (Anna Kinzel) 56:40. 3. A: Hannah Osowski (R. Sigler) 71:30.

Corner kicks: Assumption 15, Newman 1.

Shots on goal: Assumption: 10, Newman 3.

Saves: A, Mary Parmeter 5; N, Merriam Mistlebauer 2.

Records: Newman: 1-2, Assumption 2-1.

Newman Catholic’s Erica Hartke, right, tries to move around Assumption defender Katie Sigler during Thursday’s game in Wisconsin Rapids. (Jodee Boyd/For the Daily Herald)