Port tops Grafton in annual rival soccer game

Grafton High School’s soccer team got back on track on Monday after losing two straight North Shore Conference games last week.

The Black Hawks on Oct. 9 lost against rival Port Washington, 2-0, in a game delayed by lightning.

The Pirates got their goals from some unlikely sources.

Junior Bryce Bertler scored the first goal of his career to break the ice.

“He couldn’t have walked up and put it into the top corner any better,” coach Sean O’Brien said. “For him to get the game-winner is a big deal.”

Later, junior Andrew Skorik got into a scrum in front of the goal and “just toe-poked it in,” O’Brien said.

Beyond the two scores, the Pirates struggled to run their offense.

“They’re very much an attacking-minded team. They had a lot of chances. As a result, it’s hard for us to find any rhythm,” O’Brien said.

Cale Theis made a big save in the first half to keep the game scoreless and prevent the Hawks from gaining the lead and momentum.

O’Brien praised Alex Poole for making “awesome tackles.”

Grafton coach Don Arnold said, “We played well and had some great opportunities to score some goals.”

He praised Brandon Pegelow for moving up to central midfield and attacking.

The Hawks on Thursday lost to West Bend West, 2-1. They gave up a penalty kick in the first half, and then tied the game with their own by Carter Day.

Nathan Wagner and Max Stilb were injured and missed the game. Arnold said Jonathan Weinhold stepped up.

“He was a beast out there, definitely the best player on the field that night,” he said.

On Monday, the Hawks beat Cedar Grove-Belgium, 9-0.

Stilb scored three goals, and Pegelow had two. Brett Braaten, Rudy Kuss, Mike Martins and Bryce Jobe each had one.

Weinhold had three assists, and Stilb, Braaten, Pegelow and Victor Geiser each had one.

“Going into the playoffs, it’s good to get some balls into the back of the net,” Arnold said.

No. 11-seeded Grafton plays at No. 6 Delavan-Darien at 7 p.m. Thursday.

No. 7-seeded Port hosts No. 10 Messmer at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Cedar Grove-Belgium lost to Howards Grove on senior night on Oct. 9. The game ended early due to lightning.

“They were the most efficient finishing team we had faced so far this season,” coach Elias Garza said.

The No. 9-seeded Rockets play at No. 8 Richland Center at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Ozaukee lost to Roncalli/Two Rivers, 4-1, on Oct. 9, and at Random Lake, 3-2, on Oct. 11.

The No. 18-seeded Warriors ended their season with a 4-0 loss at No. 15 Prairie du Chien, 4-0, on Tuesday.