Injury-riddled Rockets find offensive spark in three wins

They’re not healthy but they’re scoring.

The Cedar Grove-Belgium High School girls’ soccer team went on a roll last week, outscoring opponents, 19-1, in going 3-0 to improve to 5-2-1 on the season.

“We were in desperate need of this,” coach Zac Garza said.

The Rockets capped the stretch with a 7-0 win over Kewaskum at home last Friday on youth night.

Senior Gracie Schmidt had four goals and an assist, and junior Arden Getschman scored twice and had four assists.

The pair have taken leadership roles this season after the graduation of star players. They play on the same club team and are building on an already-strong camaraderie.

“We have such a good connection. It’s mostly due to the fact that we’re such close friends outside of soccer,” Getschman said.

“We just were talking on the bench. We just love pinging passes back and forth with each other. It’s a great connection builder,” Schmidt said.

Alivia Szyskiewicz had a goal and Raygan Bialzik had an assist.

Tessa Krause made four saves, including one fully stretched dive to her right.

“There was not a single thought in my mind that didn’t think it wasn’t going in the back of the net,” Garza said. “I don’t have words for it. That save was crazy.”

Thirty seconds later, Schmidt was sprinting toward the Indians’ net on the counter attack and scored to make it 4-0 in the 65th minute.

The team was missing defender Mia Grisolono, keeper/defender Aubrey Johnson and wing Kami Horn due to injuries. All are expected to return soon.

The injuries, in addition to losing freshman Polly Lemberg for the season, affect depth and rotation. Garza said several players have stepped up and played multiple positions.

“Claire Prinsen has been phenomenal for us this year. Alivia’s coming along great. Raygan has been a revelation in the midfield,” he said.

“If we’re healthy and able to rotate and actually develop chemistry throughout the squad on a consistent basis, this could be a formidable team.”

The Rockets beat St. Mary Catholic, 7-0, at home on April 21. Schmidt had three goals and an assist. Getschman had two goals and three assists. Horn and Mikayla Rowdon each had a goal. Bialzik and Ava Peterson each had an assist.

Last Thursday, the Rockets won on an uneven grass field at Manitowoc Lutheran, 5-1. Schmidt and Rowdon each scored twice. Getschman scored once and had three assists. Aubrey Salmon had an assist.

The Rockets were to host Kewaunee on Tuesday, April 28. They play in the Tournament of Champions in Bettendorf, Iowa, over the weekend, then host Sheboygan Lutheran/Christian on Tuesday, May 5.