FOREST HILLS NORTHERN 2 - CEDAR SPRINGS 1
HUSKIES REMOVE MONKEY; TAKE OVER SOLE POSSESION OF FIRST PLACE
It wasn’t always pretty. Nor was it smooth. However FHN’s 2 to 1 win over visiting Cedar Springs helped the Huskies improve to 4-0 in the conference and sole possession of first place.
It was a battle of the top two teams in the OK Blue Conference. Cedar Springs came in to the contest as the defending OK Blue Champions, while Forest Hills Northern looked to get a monkey off of their back. “Sports can be funny sometimes. And in team sports, you will always come up against someone who just has your number. Cedar Springs has been that thorn in our sides for the past two seasons” Head Coach Jamie Bogart said of the still budding rivalry. Forest Hills Northern, known to have more individually skilled players and more love from the rankings has been “Owned” the past two seasons by the Red Hawks. Cedar Springs holds a 2-0-1 record vs. the Huskies including a 1-0-1 record a year ago in conference play. “It’s a monkey we just couldn’t shake” Bogart stated.
Tonight, that monkey would find a new host.
Forest Hills Northern quickly showed their skill and possession style of play and took control of the contest over the highly athletic Red Hawks. FHN was able to hold the ball and control the run of play while trying to break down the shell the Red Hawks implemented. “They did a great job getting everyone behind the ball” Bogart continued “Their shell, made it tough for us to break down. There was times when Cedar had all 11 players behind the ball. We needed to be a little more paitaint, but we kept the pressure up and didn’t let them out”. The Huskies found their shots, however the accuracy was less than desired. Cedar Springs All Conference goaltender (Sara Sowerwine) was once again up to the task, turning back the Huskies on a few shots.
Cedar Springs was however able to break out from time to time by using their speed and athleticism. The Red Hawks looked to keep the Huskies on their heels with balls out of the back, bypassing the midfield and to their speedy strikers. Behind the strong play of Junior Becca Quinn, Sophomore Kat Krukowski and timely aggression by Junior goalkeeper Kristiana Griffith, the Huskies were able to swat away any Red Hawk attack.
The game stayed a 0 - 0 deadlock until Junior Maria Rich broke down the Red Hawk defense following a run to the corner. Maria’s advances towards goal were cut off by a swarming Red Hawk defense. This caused Maria to drop the ball back to Freshman Robyn Wujkowski. Wujkowski would quickly cross the ball, taking advantage of an over committed Red Hawk Defense. The Ball attended for Northern central middy, Andrea Byl sailed high and over Byl’s head. A quick moment of “Almost” turned into Sophie Rammal connecting with the ball off one bounce. The junior midfielder’s (Rammal) strike sailed over the head of Sowerwine while dipping under the cross bar and into the side netting. The Goal was Rammal’s first of the season and the Huskies went up 1-0. “It was kind of a funny goal. Robyn’s pass was intended for the head of Andrea Byl, but found the foot of Sophie instead.” Bogart Continued “When Sophie connected with the ball we (The coaches) were ready to yell at her for rushing her shot. We quickly zipped our lips”
The Huskies would have another great scoring chance about five minutes later as Junior defender Becca Quinn played a great ball from just shy of midfield on a free kick. The Ball found the head of Senior midfielder Andrea Byl who headed it over the hands of the charging Cedar Springs keeper and into the open net. The Goal was called back do to FHN being called for off sides. “Unlucky about the goal, but it was a brilliant play none the less; we still have not learned to beat the offside trap yet.” Commented an excited Bogart about the play.
With time running down in the first half, Cedar made one final push up field. The Red Hawks were able to take advantage of a napping Northern Midfield. Coming down the right flank, the Cedar Springs middy made a beautiful cross that switched the entire field of play. The Red Hawk player received the ball and beat 5 Huskies who were on their heels and stabbing. The ball ended up on the right foot of K Meyers who hammered the ball past FHN goalkeeper Kristiana Griffith to tie the score at 1.
The game would move to halftime tied 1-1.
As the second half started, FHN was put quickly on their heels as the Red Hawks supplied constant pressure for the first 10 minutes of the half. It wasn’t until a play that in the mind of Coach Jamie Bogart was a “Game Changing Moment”. The Huskies Kat Krukowski was called for a hand ball in the penalty box and a PK was awarded to Cedar Springs. This set up the play of the game.
FHN goalkeeper Kristiana Griffith was up to the task as the shot was taken. “In my 10 years of coaching high school soccer, I have NEVER had a goalkeeper I want more in the net than KG when it comes to defending PK’s.” Bogart stated of his outstanding goalkeeper. Griffith dove to her left and collected the shot. The save, saved the game for the Huskies, all well bringing new life to the Husky team. It was following the PK save that Northern started to control the game. “It was rough for 10 minutes there. I wasn’t sure if we would get out of this game alive. That save was HUGE”.
For about fifteen more minutes of play, the Red Hawks would hold off the FHN attack. That was until Robyn Wujkowski made a move and beat a Red Hawk defender on the baseline and played a ball near post. Sophomore striker Teigan Mitcham never gave up on the ball, and beat both a Red Hawk defender and goalkeeper (Sowerwine) to the ball and volleyed the ball past Sowerwine and into the back of the net. “We have a shooting drill we run in practice from time to time that defines this goal. Teigan didn’t have to hit the ball hard, she didn’t have to get a clean touch on the ball; she just had to touch and redirect the ball. And that is exactly what she did” Bogart stated about the play.
Cedar Springs quickly responded off the ensuing kickoff as a Red Hawk striker weaved in and out of the sleeping FHN team. FHN sophomore sweeper broke up the rush by a nice slide tackle and clearing of the ball. The Red Hawks would get one last scoring chance as the Huskies were called for obstruction just outside of the penalty box setting up an indirect kick from 19 yards out for the Red Hawks. The Red Hawk shot sailed high and out of play.
For the remaining twelve minutes of the game, the FHN defense never allowed the Red Hawks to get any closer than forty yards of the goal. “We really stepped up and made an effort to play defense”
The Huskies would control the final twelve minutes with solid possession, timely substitutions and great shielding of the ball in the corners. “Our midfield did a great job of finding our strongest player in Teigan Mitcham.” Bogart stated. Mitcham, a very physical and powerful player killed close to 2 and a half minutes of clock just by going to the corners with the ball and shielding the ball; Sometimes from 2 and 3 defenders.
Very pleased with the result, Coach Bogart was most proud of the steps taken to be a smatter team. “We had players who grew up a lot tonight. They learned to use their teammates vs. trying to take a team on.” Bogart continued “We are a better team for playing Cedar Springs. They are an outstanding team. But the Monkey is off our back!!”
The Huskies improved to 4 and 0 in the OK Blue and 4-2-0 overall. The Huskies travel to Coopersville Wednesday night for another important OK Blue contest.
It was a battle of the top two teams in the OK Blue Conference. Cedar Springs came in to the contest as the defending OK Blue Champions, while Forest Hills Northern looked to get a monkey off of their back. “Sports can be funny sometimes. And in team sports, you will always come up against someone who just has your number. Cedar Springs has been that thorn in our sides for the past two seasons” Head Coach Jamie Bogart said of the still budding rivalry. Forest Hills Northern, known to have more individually skilled players and more love from the rankings has been “Owned” the past two seasons by the Red Hawks. Cedar Springs holds a 2-0-1 record vs. the Huskies including a 1-0-1 record a year ago in conference play. “It’s a monkey we just couldn’t shake” Bogart stated.
Tonight, that monkey would find a new host.
Forest Hills Northern quickly showed their skill and possession style of play and took control of the contest over the highly athletic Red Hawks. FHN was able to hold the ball and control the run of play while trying to break down the shell the Red Hawks implemented. “They did a great job getting everyone behind the ball” Bogart continued “Their shell, made it tough for us to break down. There was times when Cedar had all 11 players behind the ball. We needed to be a little more paitaint, but we kept the pressure up and didn’t let them out”. The Huskies found their shots, however the accuracy was less than desired. Cedar Springs All Conference goaltender (Sara Sowerwine) was once again up to the task, turning back the Huskies on a few shots.
Cedar Springs was however able to break out from time to time by using their speed and athleticism. The Red Hawks looked to keep the Huskies on their heels with balls out of the back, bypassing the midfield and to their speedy strikers. Behind the strong play of Junior Becca Quinn, Sophomore Kat Krukowski and timely aggression by Junior goalkeeper Kristiana Griffith, the Huskies were able to swat away any Red Hawk attack.
The game stayed a 0 - 0 deadlock until Junior Maria Rich broke down the Red Hawk defense following a run to the corner. Maria’s advances towards goal were cut off by a swarming Red Hawk defense. This caused Maria to drop the ball back to Freshman Robyn Wujkowski. Wujkowski would quickly cross the ball, taking advantage of an over committed Red Hawk Defense. The Ball attended for Northern central middy, Andrea Byl sailed high and over Byl’s head. A quick moment of “Almost” turned into Sophie Rammal connecting with the ball off one bounce. The junior midfielder’s (Rammal) strike sailed over the head of Sowerwine while dipping under the cross bar and into the side netting. The Goal was Rammal’s first of the season and the Huskies went up 1-0. “It was kind of a funny goal. Robyn’s pass was intended for the head of Andrea Byl, but found the foot of Sophie instead.” Bogart Continued “When Sophie connected with the ball we (The coaches) were ready to yell at her for rushing her shot. We quickly zipped our lips”
The Huskies would have another great scoring chance about five minutes later as Junior defender Becca Quinn played a great ball from just shy of midfield on a free kick. The Ball found the head of Senior midfielder Andrea Byl who headed it over the hands of the charging Cedar Springs keeper and into the open net. The Goal was called back do to FHN being called for off sides. “Unlucky about the goal, but it was a brilliant play none the less; we still have not learned to beat the offside trap yet.” Commented an excited Bogart about the play.
With time running down in the first half, Cedar made one final push up field. The Red Hawks were able to take advantage of a napping Northern Midfield. Coming down the right flank, the Cedar Springs middy made a beautiful cross that switched the entire field of play. The Red Hawk player received the ball and beat 5 Huskies who were on their heels and stabbing. The ball ended up on the right foot of K Meyers who hammered the ball past FHN goalkeeper Kristiana Griffith to tie the score at 1.
The game would move to halftime tied 1-1.
As the second half started, FHN was put quickly on their heels as the Red Hawks supplied constant pressure for the first 10 minutes of the half. It wasn’t until a play that in the mind of Coach Jamie Bogart was a “Game Changing Moment”. The Huskies Kat Krukowski was called for a hand ball in the penalty box and a PK was awarded to Cedar Springs. This set up the play of the game.
FHN goalkeeper Kristiana Griffith was up to the task as the shot was taken. “In my 10 years of coaching high school soccer, I have NEVER had a goalkeeper I want more in the net than KG when it comes to defending PK’s.” Bogart stated of his outstanding goalkeeper. Griffith dove to her left and collected the shot. The save, saved the game for the Huskies, all well bringing new life to the Husky team. It was following the PK save that Northern started to control the game. “It was rough for 10 minutes there. I wasn’t sure if we would get out of this game alive. That save was HUGE”.
For about fifteen more minutes of play, the Red Hawks would hold off the FHN attack. That was until Robyn Wujkowski made a move and beat a Red Hawk defender on the baseline and played a ball near post. Sophomore striker Teigan Mitcham never gave up on the ball, and beat both a Red Hawk defender and goalkeeper (Sowerwine) to the ball and volleyed the ball past Sowerwine and into the back of the net. “We have a shooting drill we run in practice from time to time that defines this goal. Teigan didn’t have to hit the ball hard, she didn’t have to get a clean touch on the ball; she just had to touch and redirect the ball. And that is exactly what she did” Bogart stated about the play.
Cedar Springs quickly responded off the ensuing kickoff as a Red Hawk striker weaved in and out of the sleeping FHN team. FHN sophomore sweeper broke up the rush by a nice slide tackle and clearing of the ball. The Red Hawks would get one last scoring chance as the Huskies were called for obstruction just outside of the penalty box setting up an indirect kick from 19 yards out for the Red Hawks. The Red Hawk shot sailed high and out of play.
For the remaining twelve minutes of the game, the FHN defense never allowed the Red Hawks to get any closer than forty yards of the goal. “We really stepped up and made an effort to play defense”
The Huskies would control the final twelve minutes with solid possession, timely substitutions and great shielding of the ball in the corners. “Our midfield did a great job of finding our strongest player in Teigan Mitcham.” Bogart stated. Mitcham, a very physical and powerful player killed close to 2 and a half minutes of clock just by going to the corners with the ball and shielding the ball; Sometimes from 2 and 3 defenders.
Very pleased with the result, Coach Bogart was most proud of the steps taken to be a smatter team. “We had players who grew up a lot tonight. They learned to use their teammates vs. trying to take a team on.” Bogart continued “We are a better team for playing Cedar Springs. They are an outstanding team. But the Monkey is off our back!!”
The Huskies improved to 4 and 0 in the OK Blue and 4-2-0 overall. The Huskies travel to Coopersville Wednesday night for another important OK Blue contest.