Hornets Fall to River Rats in Field Hockey

As far as Michigan high school girls’ field hockey goes, Ann Arbor Huron is the team that all up and comers use to measure themselves against.

Monday night, the Saline Hornets battled hard, but couldn’t quite measure up against the defending state champs, falling 4-0.

Huron dominated most of the game, giving up a single shot on goal and rarely letting the Hornets possess the ball in River Rat territory.

Senior Lexi Collins scored two early goals for Huron and senior Taylor Standiford added one just before half to give the River Rats a 3-0 lead. Sophomore Katie Yeatts scored at the 23:30 mark of the second half to give Huron a 4-0 lead.

The Huron team featured 10 seniors and eight juniors from the 2010 championship squad.

“As anticipated this team knows how to play field hockey. Huron was able to dictate the game most of the first half. They were able to score three times, twice from a penalty corner. Their excellent ball control and sharp passes kept the Saline Hornets in continues pursuit of the ball,” said Saline coach Don Hes.

The Hornets did seem to adjust to the River Rats’ tempo in the second half. But generating offense

“They’re extremely quick and they are very skilled. They are a very good team. I think we came out and played tough. We didn’t give up. These are the kind of games you can learn from,” said Saline captain Ally Cope.

Goalie Jessie Opaleski tuned aside several shots and was under intense pressure for most of the game until being relieved late in the second half.

“I look forward to games like these because they are a challenge. It’s great to have a game where you don’t face any shots, because that means our team is doing well. But this was a lot of fun, too,” Opaleski said. “You’ve got to play the good teams if you want get better.”

Saline’s one shot in the second half came after a penalty corner. Annie Carter teed up and blasted a shot at the Huron goal. The shot bounced off the goalie’s pad and nearly all the way back out to midfield.