SHS Women’s Soccer notches 6-1 home field victory over Michigan Center

The Cardinals of Michigan Center traveled to Stockbridge on May 9 for a non-league soccer competition. Early shots by Rachel Frazzini and Brittany Freiermuth tested the Michigan Center defense, but it was the Cardinals who delivered a surprise first score just eight minutes into the match. A low rocket kick from 20 yards out brushed the shin guards of three defenders and past the fingers of the Stockbridge keeper to lodge in the right corner of the Panther’s net. Then, while Michigan Center was celebrating their goal, the Stockbridge Panthers awoke.

The Panther answer came two minutes after the Michigan Center goal. At the whistle the Panthers drove downfield and pinned the Cardinal defense against their net. A corner kick by Baylee Heidrich connected with Alexis Killinger to position the ball near the Cardinal goal. Anna Schlaff crashed the net to nail a Panther goal and even the score at one all. A block by Evelyn Ortiz-Martinez and a steal by Maria Risner denied the Cardinals a quick go ahead attempt and the ball was delivered back downfield. Less than three minutes after Schlaff’s tying score Faith Whitt put the Panthers ahead with a well-placed shot from the center of the field that was well out of reach for the Cardinal keeper.

In the second half the Panthers would not let Michigan Center get back in the match. Defensive steals by Rose Casto, Peyton Killinger, Haylie Howard, and Raven Cruse combined to protect the Panther keeper. Back to back goals by Baylee Heidrich and Sylvia Whitt served to deflate the Cardinal defense. Sylvia Whitt celebrated her initial goal by scoring a second to further suppress Michigan Center. With 10 minutes remaining in the contest Haylie Steinkraus, assisted by Malena Rosedale, put a Cardinal recovery out of reach by scoring from the right side of the field. Bethany Plennert made 7 Panther saves during the contest as Stockbridge notched a 6-1 home field victory.