by Dave Boehler
Beacon Sports Editor

MADDIE ZYLSTRA of the Lutheran/Christian soccer team recently had four goals in a game after having a total of one last year. – Submitted photo

The Sheboygan Lutheran/Christian soccer team got off to a 2-0 start for the first time since 2012 after beating Sturgeon Bay and Living Word Lutheran in early April.

The Crusaders are 2-1 after having a total of only four wins the previous two seasons.

“We’re starting to gel together as a team and playing some very good ball,” coach Phil Zastrow said.

Lutheran/Christian, which did not win its second game until May 3 last year, opened the campaign with a 3-1 win over Sturgeon Bay thanks to a goal and two assists from Katelyn Witte.

In a 10-0 win over Lutheran, sophomore Maddie Zylstra finished with four goals, Witte provided three assists and goalkeepers Isabel Rahn and Naomi Gruben combined to get the shutout.

So far, Witte has five assists on the year.

“Everything offensively seems to happen when she’s got the ball,” Zastrow said. “Everything starts and stops with her.”

And last year, Zylstra had just one goal all season.

“I think a lot of it all boils down to her just getting a nose for the goal,” Zastrow said. “Last year she was learning the high school game. This year she’s really settling in and developing. She’s an excellent runner and her best attribute is finding space on the field to receive a pass; where she’s at without the ball. To me, that’s a gift. That doesn’t come natural.”

Added Zylstra: “Getting four goals right away, it was such a confidence booster. I hope things progress from there and continue to go strong.”

SOFTBALL

What a start: North outscored its first two opponents, Green Bay Southwest and Sheboygan South, by a combined score of 29-6. However, the team lost its next three games entering play Monday.

GOLF

Schmidtke a medalist: North’s Max Schmidtke shared medalist honors at the 25-team Washington County Invitational by shooting a 74 April 13 at the Washington County Golf Course.

Two days later, he won the Fox River Classic Conference meet at Rolling Meadows Golf Course by also finishing with a 74 – four strokes ahead of the competition.

Teammate Austin Thyes tied for fifth, as North and Green Bay Notre Dame were co-champions.

South’s Nic Kolar tied for 10th.

On Thursday, Schmidtke finished sixth with a 76 in the North Invite at the Irish Course at Whistling Straits.

A total of 210 golfers participated, according to Golden Raider coach Andy Delong.

“The field was better than the state tournament,” he said.

TRACK AND FIELD

Pole vault dominance: On Thursday, South’s Brock Kovacic and Savannah Ellis each took first in the pole vault at the West Bend West Invite. Teammate Austin Boeldt also placed third in both the 400 and 800.

On April 15, Joshua Walter of North won the triple jump and was runner-up in the long jump in the Green Bay Southwest Quad.

Teammate Jeremy Rusch also won the 400 to go with a third-place finish in the 200, a fourth in the long jump and a fifth in the 100.

The Golden Raiders’ Nathan Williams was first in the high jump and Nyla Spicer won the 200.

BASEBALL

Win, lose, repeat: North is 3-3 so far. The season started with a win and the team followed that with a loss. The Golden Raiders then won, lost, won and lost again.