Marquette sophomore defender Grace Matt, right, advances the ball during Marquette’s 7-0 win at Houghton on Wednesday. (Photo courtesy MSHS Committee for High School Soccer)

Up next: Marquette at Houghton, 6 p.m. Tuesday; vs. Kingsford in season home opener, 5 p.m. Wednesday

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MARQUETTE — The Marquette Senior High School girls soccer team bounced back from a tough downstate start to its season by posting a pair of shutout victories over Upper Peninsula opposition last week.

After losing at Traverse City St. Francis and Traverse City West with virtually no practices outdoors about 10 days earlier, the Sentinels posted a 4-0 victory at Houghton on Wednesday and a 7-0 whitewash at Kingsford the following day.

Now 2-2, Marquette’s defense limited scoring chances in both shutouts, while sophomore goalkeeper Maddy Croney was able to protect the net against every on-target opportunity, including a penalty kick save against the Gremlins.

Speed of play was attributed as allowing the Sentinels’ offense to maintain possession and build a cohesive attack.

In last week’s matches, freshman Kirra Longton and sophomore Liv Stade led Marquette with three goals apiece. Additionally, teammates Anabel Ollila, Alli Kreis, Cora Wernholm and Joslyn Leuzzo also scored one goal each, while credited with two assists were Stade and Wernholm as Ollila, and the Sentinels’ Siena Goodney and Presley Mason had one assist apiece.

The Marquette soccer team, like many Upper Peninsula squads across just about every sport, has been forced to reschedule matches and train indoors due to a series of winter-like spring storms. MSHS head coach Colleen McKay is grateful the Sentinels were finally able to get outside, play some full-field matches and start to gel.

“It has been a relief to be outside and practice,” the coach said. “I have seen so much progress from the team, even with the short amount of time outside.

“Our young players have been super fun to coach. Every day, they come to practice ready to get better, and as a coach that is all you can ask for.

“We are excited to get back to practice next week. We have a lineup of some really great games to end off the week.”

That lineup includes games on back-to-back days again, with a road rematch at Houghton at 6 p.m. Tuesday, then Marquette’s first home game of the season against Kingsford at 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Story contents based on email received from Meredith Ollila of the MSHS Committee for High School Soccer. Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee’s email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.