UNITY CHRISTIAN 3 - FOREST HILLS NORTHERN 1
UNITY FLEXES THEIR MUSCLE; HAND HUSKIES FIRST LOSS OF THE SEASON
The Huskies coming off an 8-0 win at Belding less than 16 hours earlier, returned to the field to take on one of the states benchmark programs in Hudsonville Unity Christian. Unity Christian has won the last 5 MHSAA Division 3 state titles. “They are one of the benchmarks and standards you look to for your team to reach” Head Coach Jamie Bogart said of the Crusaders. “Unity is so well coached and has a well organized program, which players coming in know what to expect. We are making strides towards reaching that point”.
Unity struck early, as a weak pass played at midfield by the Husky defense lead to Paige Capel beating a charging Kristiana Griffith for a UC goal just a minute into the game. “Before the game we talked about the grass and how you need to put a little more behind the ball when passing…we that the mistake, but we learned” Bogart stated. “That early goal could have deflated a team; I think it woke us up!!”
The wakeup call was given, but the Huskies found themselves down 1-0 early. The Huskies would scrape and claw and for about seven minutes played heads up soccer. At the 10 minute mark of the first half, FHN started to take over.
Setting up for a corner kick, Madeline Rammal played a great ball back post, where Andrea Byl just missed the ball and what seemed to be an open goal. The Huskies would not let down, and increased their pressure. Taking advantage of a youthful and inexperienced Unity defense, the Huskies were able to get a couple more good looks, but found the UC keeper. With about five minutes left in the first half, Teigan Mitcham collected in a very nice pass from Freshman Midfielder Alex Fraser. Mictham was able to turn one player and headed towards goal all alone. Mitcham’s shot from 14 yards out went high. “Teigan is in a transition from defense to offense. Teigan has a lot of power attached to her shot. Because of inexperience Teigan will learn that all you will have to do in similar situations is place the ball vs. shooting the ball”. Bogart stated.
A few moments after that near tying goal the Huskies found themselves down 2-0. It was once again a misplayed ball in the back that led to another UC goal. The goal was well placed back post and was identical to the Crusaders first goal. Bogart compared that goal to missed opportunities. “Comparing the two UC goals to the missed opportunity by Teigan just a few moments earlier, you saw very composed shooters who were under complete control, looking up to see where the goalkeeper was and just placed the ball. Just another way, we can learn from our mistakes and see a positive result”.
Allowing 2 goals on just two shots and scoring chances, the Huskies finally found the back of the net. Running what is becoming a fan favorite corner kick, Sophie Rammal’s mishit ball luckily found the foot of Junior Maria Rich. Maria made one move and blasted the ball upper 90 and past the UC keeper. The goal brought new life to the Huskies.
Although down at the half 2-1, the Huskies were controlling play and having the better scoring chances and opportunities. “I felt very good at half-time. We had that little wakeup call and some miscues on passes, however I was very pleased with the way we played” Bogart said of his teams efforts.
The second half started, with the Huskies playing a great possession game, leading to another chance by Mitcham. Mitcham, took a 18 yard shot that went just high. That would be the last real threat that the Huskies would have in the game.
Unity would once again add a third goal about midway through the second half. Miscommunication and a misplayed clear lead to the foot of a UC player. The ball wound up on the foot of Paige Capel, who beat a Husky defender on the baseline and slotted the ball, which was re-directed into the open net. “That was the 3rd goal that we gave up, which was because of our mistakes. You can’t make mistakes like that against a team like Unity and expect to win.” Bogart went on to say “We played hard today against one of the best teams in the state. We will learn from our mistakes and move on. I was very happy with how we were able to limit UC to just 4 total shots”.
Unity handed the Huskies their first loss of the year 3-1. The Huskies would get the Eagles of GR Christian next.
Unity struck early, as a weak pass played at midfield by the Husky defense lead to Paige Capel beating a charging Kristiana Griffith for a UC goal just a minute into the game. “Before the game we talked about the grass and how you need to put a little more behind the ball when passing…we that the mistake, but we learned” Bogart stated. “That early goal could have deflated a team; I think it woke us up!!”
The wakeup call was given, but the Huskies found themselves down 1-0 early. The Huskies would scrape and claw and for about seven minutes played heads up soccer. At the 10 minute mark of the first half, FHN started to take over.
Setting up for a corner kick, Madeline Rammal played a great ball back post, where Andrea Byl just missed the ball and what seemed to be an open goal. The Huskies would not let down, and increased their pressure. Taking advantage of a youthful and inexperienced Unity defense, the Huskies were able to get a couple more good looks, but found the UC keeper. With about five minutes left in the first half, Teigan Mitcham collected in a very nice pass from Freshman Midfielder Alex Fraser. Mictham was able to turn one player and headed towards goal all alone. Mitcham’s shot from 14 yards out went high. “Teigan is in a transition from defense to offense. Teigan has a lot of power attached to her shot. Because of inexperience Teigan will learn that all you will have to do in similar situations is place the ball vs. shooting the ball”. Bogart stated.
A few moments after that near tying goal the Huskies found themselves down 2-0. It was once again a misplayed ball in the back that led to another UC goal. The goal was well placed back post and was identical to the Crusaders first goal. Bogart compared that goal to missed opportunities. “Comparing the two UC goals to the missed opportunity by Teigan just a few moments earlier, you saw very composed shooters who were under complete control, looking up to see where the goalkeeper was and just placed the ball. Just another way, we can learn from our mistakes and see a positive result”.
Allowing 2 goals on just two shots and scoring chances, the Huskies finally found the back of the net. Running what is becoming a fan favorite corner kick, Sophie Rammal’s mishit ball luckily found the foot of Junior Maria Rich. Maria made one move and blasted the ball upper 90 and past the UC keeper. The goal brought new life to the Huskies.
Although down at the half 2-1, the Huskies were controlling play and having the better scoring chances and opportunities. “I felt very good at half-time. We had that little wakeup call and some miscues on passes, however I was very pleased with the way we played” Bogart said of his teams efforts.
The second half started, with the Huskies playing a great possession game, leading to another chance by Mitcham. Mitcham, took a 18 yard shot that went just high. That would be the last real threat that the Huskies would have in the game.
Unity would once again add a third goal about midway through the second half. Miscommunication and a misplayed clear lead to the foot of a UC player. The ball wound up on the foot of Paige Capel, who beat a Husky defender on the baseline and slotted the ball, which was re-directed into the open net. “That was the 3rd goal that we gave up, which was because of our mistakes. You can’t make mistakes like that against a team like Unity and expect to win.” Bogart went on to say “We played hard today against one of the best teams in the state. We will learn from our mistakes and move on. I was very happy with how we were able to limit UC to just 4 total shots”.
Unity handed the Huskies their first loss of the year 3-1. The Huskies would get the Eagles of GR Christian next.