Saline Falls to Northville In Varsity Soccer Action

Northville’s varsity girls’ soccer team improved to 7-0-2 with a 3-1 victory at Saline High School Saturday afternoon. The Hornets, who’d won two straight games after an 0-5 start, fell to 2-6.

Junior forward Mallory Weber scored twice and junior Clair McHugh tallied for Northville.

Saline captain Emily Kaminski broke the shutout late in the second half for Saline’s only marker.

“I really liked the way we possessed the ball,” said Northville coach Eric Brucker. “We’ve been working on calming down and playing our game. The more we can string passes together and possess the ball, the better we are. When we’re panicky, other teams can take advantage of us.”

Weber scored the game’s first goal with 14 minutes left in the first half. Saline’s defense broke down and Northville freshman Megan Buckingham set up Weber, who played it to the far post with a nice low shot. Late in the half, Northville added to its lead when McHugh’s kick deflected off Saline’s wall and into the net.

“Claire played a perfect ball,” Brucker said.

Early in the second half, Saline began pressing to get on the scoreboard. But the Hornets turned the ball over. Northville came sprinting in on a two-on-one. Freshman Jamie Cheslik set up Weber, who chipped it past the keeper for a 3-0 lead.

“We were down by two and trying to test them. We were pressing forward and we got caught,” said Saline coach Dana Restrick.

Northville continued to press but Saline kept battling. Finally the Hornets got a break when junior Melissa Stevens booted a ball toward the Northville goal and Kaminski outraced Northville’s Alexis Mencotti to go in one-on-one with the goalie. Kaminski made no mistake and found the back of the net.

The Hornets weren’t able to close the gap.

Restrick was pleased with the team’s effort.

“It’s no fun to lose, but I thought we competed hard and played well. Give Northville credit, because they’re a great team. That’s why we play them,” Restrick said. “We want a tough non-league schedule because that’s going to make us better in the league.”

The Hornets are 2-0 in the SEC. Saline is home to Bedford at 7 p.m., Tuesday.