Port scores first win behind O’Brien’s early score

The Port Washington High School girls’ soccer team had enough with the losses and ties.

The Pirates scored in the third minute at West Bend Co-op last Thursday, and that goal held up for the team’s first victory of the season.

Sophomore Charlotte O’Brien got the goal on a rebound.

“I just kicked it in. I was there. I was ready for it,” O’Brien said.

“It was a great feeling. I think it definitely helped boost the energy from the team and definitely helped us secure a win.”

Freshman Ally Schlehlein got the assist for her first career point.

The goal, all-conference keeper Kamryn Knaub said, gave the Pirates some early energy.

“It definitely boosted us right away to keep going,” she said.

The Pirates kept threatening, and West Bend made a few runs of its own, but neither defense relented.

Knaub wasn’t tested often and came through when she was, sometimes diving for balls.

“Most of them were just trying to save it from not going out of bounds — keep it in play and trying to keep us moving,” she said.

Port went to 1-2-2 on the season. O’Brien said the win gives the Pirates some momentum.

“It just creates a better mentality for us,” she said. “It just creates more opportunities for us to realize that we can do this. We can play with these other teams and be just as physical.”

On April 21, Port lost to Kettle Moraine Lutheran at home, 4-1.

Sophomore Sam Navigato scored, and Knaub had the assist. She made 14 saves on 18 shots.

Port was to host Kewaskum on Tuesday, April 28. The Pirates play at Sheboygan South on Thursday, April 30, host Luxemburg-Casco on Saturday, May 2, and Plymouth on Tuesday, May 5.