FOREST HILLS NORTHERN 4 - WEST CATHOLIC 2
FHN FIGHTS ADVERSITY; DOMINATE SECOND HALF TO DOWN W. CATHOLIC
Coming into Wednesday night’s conference game vs. West Catholic, The state ranked Huskies had their backs against the wall. “We have had a bit of bad luck lately, and that has challenged the heart and character of each player” Coach Jamie Bogart stated. He continued “It’s the kind of bad luck that can cause a team to do one of two things. It can ether divide us, or make us stronger”.
The Huskies (Coming off Spring Break), headed into West Catholic shorthanded and having to rely on youth and heart. “We had 8 girls suspended from tonight’s game (6 of which are considered starters)” Coach Bogart wouldn’t comment on the reasons for suspending players, but continued. “We aren’t going to dwell on the fact we had missing players, but highlight the effort of the ENTIRE team tonight”. The Huskies did just that.
Relying on youth was not the full case, as the Huskies got great leadership and experience from Senior Co-Captain Andrea Byl, and Juniors Maria Rich, Brenna Sellman and Becca Quinn. But it was a freshman who got the scoring started. On a pass from Maria Rich, freshman Alex Fraser hit a low firm shot to the corner of the goal from about 23 yards out just 2 minutes and 17 seconds into the game. “We have been preaching to Alex to take more shots. Alex has the ability to strike a ball from both her Left and her Right foot; she took the pass and placed it beautifully in the corner”. The score would remain 1-0 for the next 28 minutes before a PK by West Catholic striker Lauran McFall knotted the score at 1 apiece.
Northern would come right back with a goal of their own just a minute and a half later, as Andrea Byl collected a pass from Brenna Sellman and hit a nice floating shot with her left foot which found the upper 90. West Catholic would get that goal back however, as McFall took advantage of a Northern defensive break down and hit a well struck ball back post and beyond the outstretched arms of Northern Freshman keeper Ally Kiekover. The score would remain tied (2-2) at Half-time.
The second half would prove to be all Huskies. FHN limited West Catholic to zero shots in the second half (2 for the entire game). With swarming high pressure, along with beautifully timed runs and passes, the Huskies took control of the game.
The Huskies broke the 2-2 deadlock, as Sophomore Olivia Griffith found a streaking Robyn Wujkowski and played a beautiful ball out of the back. Wujkowsk, who is just freshman beat and headed the ball past the charging West Catholic Keeper and into the open net for her fourth goal of the year. Bogart explained the play, “We had that play developing for about 10 minutes. Robyn was caught flat footed on an identical play just a few moments earlier. We as coaches yelled out for her to move earlier and be more pro-active. And that’s exactly what she did on that next play”. That goal came with about 15 minutes left in the game and only made Northern hungrier.
With several more scoring chances, the Huskies put more and more pressure on the Falcon defense. After several missed shots, Senior Hanna Schlesinger took a pass from Maria Rich and re-directed the ball into the corner. Coach Bogart talked about the significance of this goal. “It was kind of a late Birthday present for Hanna. Hanna turned 18 just a day earlier, and I couldn’t be happier for Hanna, she has been a part of this program and on the varsity team for 4 years now”. Hanna was one of three girls who did not play in the first half due to serving a half game suspension. “Hanna simply showed an amazing amount of heart and a wealth of experience tonight. She deserved that goal.” That goal, by Schlesinger pushed the FHN lead to two, and helped secure the 4-2 win for the undermanned Huskies.
What doesn’t show on the scoreboard is how hard each and every member of this team worked tonight. The girls who didn’t play were as much into the game as the girls who did. “The support these girls gave to their teammates was exactly what our program is all about…Family” Bogart stated. “I give credit for the win to everyone, the smiles and hugs after the game spoke volumes”. Coach Bogart also spoke on influence of the entire coaching staff. “A Big chunk of credit for this win also needs to go to the coaches who have been brought in. They are the ones who were vital in both preparing the girls for tonight’s game during, as well as helping to make adjustments and tweak the way we played”. “Tonight, I couldn’t be more proud of our girls, our coaching staff”
With the win, the Huskies, move to 2 and 0 in the conference and 2 and 0 overall. The Huskies, continue their busy week by traveling to Belding Friday night for another OK Blue Clash, and head to Calvin Christian on Saturday where they will take on the 5 time defending division 3 state champion in Unity Christian as part of the Calvin Christian Quad.
The Huskies (Coming off Spring Break), headed into West Catholic shorthanded and having to rely on youth and heart. “We had 8 girls suspended from tonight’s game (6 of which are considered starters)” Coach Bogart wouldn’t comment on the reasons for suspending players, but continued. “We aren’t going to dwell on the fact we had missing players, but highlight the effort of the ENTIRE team tonight”. The Huskies did just that.
Relying on youth was not the full case, as the Huskies got great leadership and experience from Senior Co-Captain Andrea Byl, and Juniors Maria Rich, Brenna Sellman and Becca Quinn. But it was a freshman who got the scoring started. On a pass from Maria Rich, freshman Alex Fraser hit a low firm shot to the corner of the goal from about 23 yards out just 2 minutes and 17 seconds into the game. “We have been preaching to Alex to take more shots. Alex has the ability to strike a ball from both her Left and her Right foot; she took the pass and placed it beautifully in the corner”. The score would remain 1-0 for the next 28 minutes before a PK by West Catholic striker Lauran McFall knotted the score at 1 apiece.
Northern would come right back with a goal of their own just a minute and a half later, as Andrea Byl collected a pass from Brenna Sellman and hit a nice floating shot with her left foot which found the upper 90. West Catholic would get that goal back however, as McFall took advantage of a Northern defensive break down and hit a well struck ball back post and beyond the outstretched arms of Northern Freshman keeper Ally Kiekover. The score would remain tied (2-2) at Half-time.
The second half would prove to be all Huskies. FHN limited West Catholic to zero shots in the second half (2 for the entire game). With swarming high pressure, along with beautifully timed runs and passes, the Huskies took control of the game.
The Huskies broke the 2-2 deadlock, as Sophomore Olivia Griffith found a streaking Robyn Wujkowski and played a beautiful ball out of the back. Wujkowsk, who is just freshman beat and headed the ball past the charging West Catholic Keeper and into the open net for her fourth goal of the year. Bogart explained the play, “We had that play developing for about 10 minutes. Robyn was caught flat footed on an identical play just a few moments earlier. We as coaches yelled out for her to move earlier and be more pro-active. And that’s exactly what she did on that next play”. That goal came with about 15 minutes left in the game and only made Northern hungrier.
With several more scoring chances, the Huskies put more and more pressure on the Falcon defense. After several missed shots, Senior Hanna Schlesinger took a pass from Maria Rich and re-directed the ball into the corner. Coach Bogart talked about the significance of this goal. “It was kind of a late Birthday present for Hanna. Hanna turned 18 just a day earlier, and I couldn’t be happier for Hanna, she has been a part of this program and on the varsity team for 4 years now”. Hanna was one of three girls who did not play in the first half due to serving a half game suspension. “Hanna simply showed an amazing amount of heart and a wealth of experience tonight. She deserved that goal.” That goal, by Schlesinger pushed the FHN lead to two, and helped secure the 4-2 win for the undermanned Huskies.
What doesn’t show on the scoreboard is how hard each and every member of this team worked tonight. The girls who didn’t play were as much into the game as the girls who did. “The support these girls gave to their teammates was exactly what our program is all about…Family” Bogart stated. “I give credit for the win to everyone, the smiles and hugs after the game spoke volumes”. Coach Bogart also spoke on influence of the entire coaching staff. “A Big chunk of credit for this win also needs to go to the coaches who have been brought in. They are the ones who were vital in both preparing the girls for tonight’s game during, as well as helping to make adjustments and tweak the way we played”. “Tonight, I couldn’t be more proud of our girls, our coaching staff”
With the win, the Huskies, move to 2 and 0 in the conference and 2 and 0 overall. The Huskies, continue their busy week by traveling to Belding Friday night for another OK Blue Clash, and head to Calvin Christian on Saturday where they will take on the 5 time defending division 3 state champion in Unity Christian as part of the Calvin Christian Quad.