Baraboo Thunderbirds Secure Season Opener Victory Over Spartans in Chilly Soccer Showdown

In a spectacular display of talent and resilience, the Baraboo High School Girls' Soccer team, also known as the Thunderbirds, claimed a decisive 3-nil victory against the Sparta Spartans in the regular season opener. The game took place on April 1, 2025, on Flambeau Field at Beryl Neuman Stadium, despite challenging cold and snowing weather conditions. Leading the charge for the Thunderbirds was Kylee Hollenbeck-Smith, who brilliantly scored all three goals for her team and currently is tied for first in the state for goals scored, earning a rare hat trick in the process. From the onset, Baraboo demonstrated their dominance with a halftime score of 2-0, thanks to assists from Kennedy Klongland and Mallory Olson. Violet Maguire's assist on the third goal capped off a spectacular performance by the team. Leah Hess, as goalkeeper, ensured Sparta's advances were kept at bay, contributing nine saves to the shutout win. Reflecting on her performance, Kyran Merrell, shared a light-hearted comment, "Yea, I saw it on Tik Tok," emphasizing the unpredictability and excitement of the game. Coach added a touch of sentiment stating, "The band's back together," hinting at the cohesive strength and collaboration of the coaching staff. The victory sets a positive tone for Baraboo's season, now standing at an impressive early record of 1-0. The Thunderbirds are set to face their next challenge against West Salem on April 4, 2025, in West Salem. With such a strong start, hopes are high for the continued success of the Thunderbirds in their forthcoming fixtures.