ND Prep edges Divine Child, 2-1
In true Michigan spring season fashion, the Notre Dame Prep and Divine Child girls’ soccer teams met in lessthan-ideal conditions on Tuesday in Dearborn.
After an evening of second-half scoring, it was the visiting Fighting Irish who came out on top in a 2-1 victory over the host Falcons.
“It was Michigan weather,” Notre Dame Prep coach Jim Stachura said. “We always have wind, rain, and sometimes even snow.
“Today was a hard battle in tough conditions.”
After a scoreless first half with a handful of chances from each side, the visitors were able to get on board early in the second 40 minutes.
A minute and a half in, Emily Teolis picked up a pass from Ellie Whalen and blasted the leftfooted shot to the top corner for the 1-0 lead.
What would stand as the game-winner came just 11 minutes later. Maggie Maher beat two players on the midfield and played the ball to Adriana Lorenz who found the back of the net.
“They were kind of bang, bang plays,” Stachura said. “We had people in the right spots and that’s where the ball fell; other times it didn’t.”
Divine Child cut the lead with a goal that was almost deemed offsides with 18:54 to cap off the scoring on the evening.
“We did really well in the second half,” Stachura said. “We had a couple of good saves by our goalie to keep us in it and a really good defensive effort from Keira Maher and our centerbacks Bree Blakeslee and Alex Prater.”
He also gave credit to the opponent.
“They have some really good players,” he said of Divine Child. “Camryn Huhn on their team was outstanding today and their goalie did a really good job in front of the goal.
“We made some passes that put people in the right spots, we just didn’t get the ball in the right spot, but a 2-1 victory was good for us going into Spring Break so we’ll take it.”
As they head into the spring break time off, Notre Dame (1-0-1) is looking forward to getting healthy again as the season progresses.
“We’re a little bit banged up,” Stachura said. “Today we did get everyone in the game and they all got a taste of what varsity soccer is like.
“Every year we expect a certain level from our program,” Stachura added. “So we just need that bottom part to move up and that top part to hold it and we’ll be in good shape.”
The Irish are back in action April 9 when they host White Lake Lakeland. Divine Child (0-1) plays the same night at home, taking on Catholic League foe Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard.