West Salem tops Baraboo 6-1 as Thunderbirds push in second half
West Salem defeated Baraboo 6-1 on Friday, scoring early and building a lead before the Thunderbirds turned in a stronger second half effort on the road.
The match was settled quickly from the opening kick, according to the team summary, as Baraboo came out subdued against West Salem. That early stretch put the Thunderbirds in a difficult position, and West Salem capitalized to create separation before halftime.
Baraboo showed a better response after the break. The Thunderbirds controlled more of the second half and played with sharper energy, spending longer stretches on the attack even while chasing the score. Their lone goal accounted for the team’s final margin of 6-1, and the improved play after halftime gave Baraboo something to build on despite the result.
Goalkeeper Rachel Wegner was a key figure in that second-half push. The author-supplied match summary credited Wegner’s skill as an important part of Baraboo’s improved play, as she helped steady the team defensively and kept the Thunderbirds organized while facing a heavy West Salem attack.
With limited individual scoring details available, the clearest takeaway for Baraboo was the contrast between the two halves: a slow start, then a more competitive final 40 minutes. The Thunderbirds will try to carry that second-half form into their next match, a home contest against Oregon on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 7:00 PM CDT.
