IRON MOUNTAIN’S CALI Picucci gains control against Northland Pines on Tuesday. (Terri Raiche photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN — Iron Mountain girls soccer suffered a pair of setbacks this week, falling to Northland Pines Tuesday and Three Lakes on Thursday. Both games were played at Mountaineer Stadium and decided by 5-0 margins.

“We have a very young team this year and have only been able to practice outside three to four times leading up to this week,” head coach Carly Lambert said.

Weather conditions were less than ideal against Northland Pines, with a difficult wind causing some challenges. Northland Pines scored twice off goal kicks.

Despite the score, Coach Lambert was impressed with her young and improving defense.

“Our goalie Kenadie McArthur never played in net before,” she noted. “She made some incredible saves. and our defense, led by seniors Cali Picucci and Gerilis Sampoll held Northland Pines’ strikers offsides numerous times.”

Against Three Lakes on Thursday the Mountaineers were a little short-handed with some players participating in a track meet.

“Our team showed improvement from our first two games and had numerous offensive drives that showed progress, but we could not finish,” Lambert said. “We had a goal by junior Anuk Sabater called back for an offsides call. Junior Olivia Fleming and senior Macy Linsenbigler shined at midfield, and new to soccer freshman Geraldine Sampoll helped our defense tremendously.”

Mountaineers dropped to 0-3 with the loss.

“We have quite a few banged up players which is not helpful, as we are struggling to play at our full potential,” Lambert added.

The Mountaineers head to Houghton on Monday and Antigo, Wis., on Tuesday.