The new Sturgeon Bay Clippers logo.
After a scoreless first half Thursday, Sturgeon Bay’s girls soccer team tallied three second-half goals to win its Packerland Conference contest at home against Peshtigo, 3-0, on a soggy Clark Field.
“This was a total team victory,” said Clippers head coach Bob Desotelle. “The game was up for grabs at halftime and our players showed some toughness and determination to get this win.”
Sturgeon Bay got on the scoreboard with midfielder Miya Nell’s first goal of the season.
“It was a tough ball to handle for the Peshtigo [goalkeeper] due to the slick field,” Desotelle said.
The Clippers took a two-goal lead 10 minutes later when Malaya Martinez scored past two Bulldog defenders just inside the 18-yard line.
“Malaya is so sneaky around the 18-yard line,” Desotelle said. “She can score with either foot, and is a nightmare for defenders.”
Sturgeon Bay closed out the scoring with a goal from Hayden Luders.
“Yarrow Goettelman served an awesome direct kick deep into the goal box, and Hayden made an awesome one-touch strike to seal the deal,” Desotelle said.
Clippers goalkeeper Isabella Jimenez Seyfer made 10 saves to record the shutout in net and has yet to give up a goal in conference play this season.
“Shutting down Peshtigo’s Audra Bauman is no easy task,” Desotelle said. “She was MVP last season for the Packerland Conference and she is a handful. The rain and wet field made the [goalkeeper’s] job very difficult. So a clean sheet was no easy task against a quality team like Peshtigo.”
With the win, Sturgeon Bay improved to 2-0-1 in the Packerland and 3-5-2 overall.
“While we have some bad habits to correct, this win most definitely is a step in the right direction,” Desotelle said.
The Clippers are next scheduled to host a non-conference game Monday against Green Bay West, prior to Tuesday’s non-league match at Marinette. Their next Packerland game is at home May 8 against Sevastopol/Gibraltar.