Bulldogs Blank the Hornets, 1-0

The Lady Hornets varsity soccer team fell to 0-4 after being shut out by Brighton, 1-0 on a cold and windy Friday night at Saline High School.

Brighton sophomore Cara Cech scored the game’s only goal with 20 minutes into the second half.

Saline outshot Brighton 6-5 in the first half and manufactured several offensive sequences, but the Hornets didn’t get any really dangerous shots on goal. It seemed the Hornets had tough luck when they were in good position, tripping over the ball or losing control just as they seemed poised to launch good shots.

“I thought we were the better team in the first half,” said Saline head coach Dana Restrick.

With four seconds left to play in the first half, Saline goalie Hayley Reynolds preserved the tie, making a great save on a kick that was labeled for the top corner.

Saline came out strong in the second half, controlling the play territorially for the first six minutes. Despite the pressure, the Hornets couldn’t get a shot on goal.

As the second half went on, the Bulldogs began to win the races to the loose balls and, as a result, began pinning Saline in its own end. Brighton broke the scoreless tie 19:55 into the half. Saline’s Reynolds made the save on the first shot, but the rebound bounced right to Cech, who fired it past the outstretched Reynolds and a Saline defender playing deep in the crease.

“We had a 20 minute lull and we got scored on and had to spend the rest of the night fighting back,” Restrict said.

But the Bulldogs kept the Hornet attack to the outside. Whenever the Hornets managed to get the ball to the middle of the field in Brighton’s end, the Bulldogs were in position to boot it safely out to midfield.

Restrick said the loss was disappointing but she credited the work of captain Emilee Kaminski.

“She really stepped up and really wanted it. She showed good leadership out there,” Restrick said.

The Hornets visit Okemos Tuesday. The junior varsity game begins at 4 p.m. and the varsity game starts at 5:30 p.m.