Philips Scores Twice as Hornets Defeat Eagles in OT to Advance

“Good teams find a way to win,” the old saying goes.

The Saline Hornets varsity soccer team stole one from host Skyline Tuesday night, winning 3-2 in overtime to advance in district play.

Senior Madison Philips scored her first two goals of the season, including the game winner in overtime, and freshman Taylor Mulder scored to open the scoring. Hayley Reynolds and Katie Price each allowed one goal in net. Reynolds, under intense pressure the entire second half and overtime, allowed only a penalty shot goal late in regulation.

Hornets Coach Dana Restrick she was proud of the way the girls found a way to win.

“We’ve talked about that all year—finding a way to push through adversity. Winning 3-2 isn’t typical by any means, especially in an Ann Arbor rivalry game. So yeah, we’ll take it,” said Restrick.

The Hornets move on to face Monroe Thursday night. Game time is 7:15 p.m.

Saline got on the board first. It started when Price, under pressure in her crease, came up with a loose ball as she was blindsided by a Skyline player who came charging in for the ball. Price was shaken up but remained in the game.  When play resumed, Mackenzie Schumborg booted the ball up to half, where Kristina Veal pushed it forward to a streaking Mulder, who kicked a low shot past Skyline goalie Tori Norris.

Skyline tied it a few minutes later. A corner kick from the left corner was redirected once before Gretchen Bakker-Arkema scored to tie the game.

In the second half, Saline nearly took the lead when a penalty kick smashed into the crossbar. Norris made a great save on the rebound. Skyline dominated the rest of the half. The Saline defense played on their heels, but kept Skyline from turning good chances into great chances. When the Eagles did get shots on goal, Hayley Reynolds was up to the task.

“It’s very stressful, but you fight through it because we play as a team and you know that your offense is going to come through for you when they get their chance,” said Reynolds.

The offense came through with 3:25 left in the half. Veal chipped a pass up to a sprinting Philips on the left wing. Running at full speed, Philips lifted a high ball into the wind that somehow found its way over Norris’ outstretched arms and into the upper right corner for a 2-1 lead.

“I was just hit it and I was hoping for the best and it went it,” said Philips, who celebrated her first goal of the season. “It was so awesome because I’ve been injured and I was like, ‘Gosh, am I ever going to score?’ And I finally did and it was a great feeling.”

But Skyline went right back to the attack and this time they were awarded a penalty shot. Monica Ybarra’s kick tied the game at two with 2:25 left to play.

The game went to overtime. Saline and Skyline played two ten-minute periods.

Skyline was once again the aggressor in overtime. But with about four minutes left in the first overtime period, Saline began to press and the Hornet midfielders did a good job keeping the ball in Skyline territory. Finally, Melissa Stevens, from the right side, booted a ball through the crease. It went past Veal and to Philips, who kicked the ball past Norris into the goal for a 3-2 lead.

Saline spent almost the entire second half defending the Skyline attack. It was nerve wracking for the Hornets.

“I was actually shaking standing next to the post on a couple of those kicks,” said Philips.

But the Hornets held the Eagles at bay and lived to play another day.

Saline defeated Monroe 6-0 in the previous meeting. Restrick said the Hornets will not look past the Trojans.

“We have girls who want to put the ball in the net,” said Restrick.