FOREST HILLS NORTHERN 1 - FOREST HILLS EASTERN 1
BATTLE OF CONFERENCE FRONT RUNNERS ENDS IN 1-1 TIE AT FHE
The FHN girl’s soccer team traveled to FHE for a game with their non-conference rivals. The Huskies who were playing their first game without Senior defender and co-captain Jace Mitcham would also have to face the Hawks without their head coach Jamie Bogart, who was sidelined with the flue. The Huskies assistant coach Dave Gillem would have to lead the team against an experienced Hawks team with a bit of a chip on their shoulders. This would be the first time these two teams would meet since the Huskies beat the Hawks last year in the District Championship game. That game took overtime and a shoot out to decide the winner.
The Huskies and Hawks would enter this contest at the top of their respective conferences with an opportunity to see how they match up against each other before the probable clash in the “districts” of the this years Division 2 - Michigan State Soccer Tournament coming up in a few weeks. Both schools have built good programs and are hoping to continue their traditions in this year’s tournament.
This contest would start with both teams playing a little tight and trying to measure up their opponent. They would also have to see how they would respond to the cold and damp weather conditions. The wet artificial turf would present some additional challenges which both teams would have to adapt their pace and technique too.
After the first five minutes the Huskies began to establish their possession style by using their speed, strength and quickness to dictate play. Junior Maria Rich and Sophomore Teigan Mitcham would continue their good form, using their quickness and experience to win balls and control the middle third of the field and use their speed and strength in the final third to create multiple scoring opportunities. The Huskies overall aggressive team play forced several corner kicks during the first half which gave them additional scoring chances. The Hawks were only able to generate a couple of scoring chances during the first half when the Huskies experienced some defensive breakdowns and miscommunication. Despite the Huskies creating many more scoring opportunities the first half ended in a 0 – 0 tie.
Although, the Huskies were not able to convert on any of their scoring chances during the first half, they should have been happy with their effort and strong performance and carry that momentum into the second half. The Hawks would feel fortunate to escape the first half with a tie and would have to figure out a way to counter the Huskies possession style of soccer.
The second half started with the Huskies continuing their possession style and controlling play. The first fifteen minutes provided a few excellent scoring opportunities; center midfielder Madeline Rammal continued to improve her form using her foot skills and ball striking ability to put pressure on the Hawks defense, Maria Rich’s quickness enabled her to break through the Hawks back line and move in on their keeper who made an excellent save to keep the Huskies off the scoreboard. Then Teigan Mitcham used her strength and speed to penetrate the middle of the Hawks defense again when she was taken down in the box from behind, which would lead to a penalty kick for the Huskies. Coach Gillem would choose Junior striker Maria Rich to take the PK. Maria approached the ball and struck it towards the left corner of the net. Even though the Hawks keeper guessed right, Maria buried the ball in the back of the net with a well struck and placed shot. The Huskies took a 1 – 0 lead.
After all of the excitement, Teigan Mitcham would have to come out of the game with in injury to her right shoulder that occurred when she was fouled on the play that lead to the PK and goal. The injury would keep Teigan out for the remainder of the game.
The game continued with the Huskies controlling most of the play, but the Hawks would create some scoring opportunities on some defensive breakdowns by the Huskies. The Huskies were able to avoid any damage to this point due to the strong play from Sophomore sweeper Kat Krukowski who diverted several Hawks scoring chances with her speed, quick decision making and aggressive play. Krukowski did an excellent job of covering the defensive breakdowns by the Huskies during tonight’s game. It was not until the twenty-fifth minute of the second half when the Hawks broke through for a goal. The attack came from the right corner of the Huskies goal, where the Hawks forward was able to beat the right defender along the end line and put a hard shot on net. Huskies keeper Junior Kristiana Griffith was in good position and made the initial stop, but could not control the ball which landed right at the foot of a Hawks player who tap it in for the equalizer. It was an unlucky goal to give up in another solid performance by the Huskies keeper.
The remaining fifteen minutes of play would consist of a lot of pressure by the Huskies on the Hawks defense and a few more scoring chances, but they would not find the winning goal. The game would end in a 1 – 1 tie and a lot of positive things for the Huskies to take from their performance tonight.
It was a hard fought contest by both teams and a lot of individual performances not already mentioned that are worth attention. Sophomore defensive stopper Olivia Griffith showed her strength in the middle of the Huskies defense and put in a solid performance and will be a key the team’s future success. Freshman reserve center midfielder Alex Fraser provided a lot of energy and physical play in limited minutes and will be important to the development of the team and its success the rest of the season. Junior midfielder Brenna Sellman continued to improve her form after suffering a torn ACL injury against this FHE team in the district championship game last year and putting in a courageous effort with her physical play. Brenna’s continued recovery to full form will be important to the success of the Huskies program for the next two years. Sophomore reserve forward Carly Belsito again had a spirited performance bringing her energy, aggressive play and toughness to the game. Senior center midfielder Andrea Byl and Senior reserves Joanna Chen and Hanna Schlesinger also play key roles tonight by bringing their energy and leadership on to the field. Sophomore defensive back Danielle Harrison continued her strong play and did a good job filling the void left by the injury to Senior Jace Mitcham. Junior midfielder Sophie Rammal continued to improve her form by using her foot skills to attack the opposition’s defense. And Freshman reserve midfielder/forward Robyn Wujkowski had another solid performance against the Hawks by using her speed and toughness to win balls and create opportunities. Her continued growth as an all around player will be important to the success of the Huskies program in the future.
The Huskies will have to continue to improve on finishing their scoring chances and decreasing their defensive breakdowns to be successful against good competition and convert draws like tonight’s game into wins.
With all that said about the game and individual performances, it was what happened after the game that made the biggest impression on me. Even after a hard fought and spirited match the girls from the opposing teams took the time to exchange hugs and kind words about each others performances. As many of these girls from these now rival schools have grown up together, gone to school together, played on other teams together, have competed against each other…and are still friends. It was a nice display of sportsmanship…and friendship.
The Huskies will return home Monday, May 10th to play host to the Belding Redskins. Kick off is at 6:40 with the JV hosting Wayland at 5:00. The FHN varsity team will be traveling to Rockford to scrimmage the Ram’s @ 3:30 in preparation of their game on Wednesday against conference rivals Cedar Springs at Red Hawk Stadium, with kick off at 7:00 and the JV will start at 5:30. A Huskies victory will give them a solid 2 game lead with 3 games to play for the conference championship.
The Huskies and Hawks would enter this contest at the top of their respective conferences with an opportunity to see how they match up against each other before the probable clash in the “districts” of the this years Division 2 - Michigan State Soccer Tournament coming up in a few weeks. Both schools have built good programs and are hoping to continue their traditions in this year’s tournament.
This contest would start with both teams playing a little tight and trying to measure up their opponent. They would also have to see how they would respond to the cold and damp weather conditions. The wet artificial turf would present some additional challenges which both teams would have to adapt their pace and technique too.
After the first five minutes the Huskies began to establish their possession style by using their speed, strength and quickness to dictate play. Junior Maria Rich and Sophomore Teigan Mitcham would continue their good form, using their quickness and experience to win balls and control the middle third of the field and use their speed and strength in the final third to create multiple scoring opportunities. The Huskies overall aggressive team play forced several corner kicks during the first half which gave them additional scoring chances. The Hawks were only able to generate a couple of scoring chances during the first half when the Huskies experienced some defensive breakdowns and miscommunication. Despite the Huskies creating many more scoring opportunities the first half ended in a 0 – 0 tie.
Although, the Huskies were not able to convert on any of their scoring chances during the first half, they should have been happy with their effort and strong performance and carry that momentum into the second half. The Hawks would feel fortunate to escape the first half with a tie and would have to figure out a way to counter the Huskies possession style of soccer.
The second half started with the Huskies continuing their possession style and controlling play. The first fifteen minutes provided a few excellent scoring opportunities; center midfielder Madeline Rammal continued to improve her form using her foot skills and ball striking ability to put pressure on the Hawks defense, Maria Rich’s quickness enabled her to break through the Hawks back line and move in on their keeper who made an excellent save to keep the Huskies off the scoreboard. Then Teigan Mitcham used her strength and speed to penetrate the middle of the Hawks defense again when she was taken down in the box from behind, which would lead to a penalty kick for the Huskies. Coach Gillem would choose Junior striker Maria Rich to take the PK. Maria approached the ball and struck it towards the left corner of the net. Even though the Hawks keeper guessed right, Maria buried the ball in the back of the net with a well struck and placed shot. The Huskies took a 1 – 0 lead.
After all of the excitement, Teigan Mitcham would have to come out of the game with in injury to her right shoulder that occurred when she was fouled on the play that lead to the PK and goal. The injury would keep Teigan out for the remainder of the game.
The game continued with the Huskies controlling most of the play, but the Hawks would create some scoring opportunities on some defensive breakdowns by the Huskies. The Huskies were able to avoid any damage to this point due to the strong play from Sophomore sweeper Kat Krukowski who diverted several Hawks scoring chances with her speed, quick decision making and aggressive play. Krukowski did an excellent job of covering the defensive breakdowns by the Huskies during tonight’s game. It was not until the twenty-fifth minute of the second half when the Hawks broke through for a goal. The attack came from the right corner of the Huskies goal, where the Hawks forward was able to beat the right defender along the end line and put a hard shot on net. Huskies keeper Junior Kristiana Griffith was in good position and made the initial stop, but could not control the ball which landed right at the foot of a Hawks player who tap it in for the equalizer. It was an unlucky goal to give up in another solid performance by the Huskies keeper.
The remaining fifteen minutes of play would consist of a lot of pressure by the Huskies on the Hawks defense and a few more scoring chances, but they would not find the winning goal. The game would end in a 1 – 1 tie and a lot of positive things for the Huskies to take from their performance tonight.
It was a hard fought contest by both teams and a lot of individual performances not already mentioned that are worth attention. Sophomore defensive stopper Olivia Griffith showed her strength in the middle of the Huskies defense and put in a solid performance and will be a key the team’s future success. Freshman reserve center midfielder Alex Fraser provided a lot of energy and physical play in limited minutes and will be important to the development of the team and its success the rest of the season. Junior midfielder Brenna Sellman continued to improve her form after suffering a torn ACL injury against this FHE team in the district championship game last year and putting in a courageous effort with her physical play. Brenna’s continued recovery to full form will be important to the success of the Huskies program for the next two years. Sophomore reserve forward Carly Belsito again had a spirited performance bringing her energy, aggressive play and toughness to the game. Senior center midfielder Andrea Byl and Senior reserves Joanna Chen and Hanna Schlesinger also play key roles tonight by bringing their energy and leadership on to the field. Sophomore defensive back Danielle Harrison continued her strong play and did a good job filling the void left by the injury to Senior Jace Mitcham. Junior midfielder Sophie Rammal continued to improve her form by using her foot skills to attack the opposition’s defense. And Freshman reserve midfielder/forward Robyn Wujkowski had another solid performance against the Hawks by using her speed and toughness to win balls and create opportunities. Her continued growth as an all around player will be important to the success of the Huskies program in the future.
The Huskies will have to continue to improve on finishing their scoring chances and decreasing their defensive breakdowns to be successful against good competition and convert draws like tonight’s game into wins.
With all that said about the game and individual performances, it was what happened after the game that made the biggest impression on me. Even after a hard fought and spirited match the girls from the opposing teams took the time to exchange hugs and kind words about each others performances. As many of these girls from these now rival schools have grown up together, gone to school together, played on other teams together, have competed against each other…and are still friends. It was a nice display of sportsmanship…and friendship.
The Huskies will return home Monday, May 10th to play host to the Belding Redskins. Kick off is at 6:40 with the JV hosting Wayland at 5:00. The FHN varsity team will be traveling to Rockford to scrimmage the Ram’s @ 3:30 in preparation of their game on Wednesday against conference rivals Cedar Springs at Red Hawk Stadium, with kick off at 7:00 and the JV will start at 5:30. A Huskies victory will give them a solid 2 game lead with 3 games to play for the conference championship.