Lady Dutch soccer team prevail in two games during week three

Submitted by Scott Somerville

The Manchester High School Girls Varsity Soccer team played two games in their third week of 2021 Spring competition.

In the first game on Wednesday April 21, the Lady Dutch faced the visiting Cardinals from Michigan Center. The Cardinals played defensively for the first half and contained the Manchester attack only allowing one goal from a free kick by sophomore mid-fielder Marlena Ballnik, her first for the season.

In the second half, the Manchester coaching staff adjusted the formation to expand play and create more space for Manchester’s offense. This proved effective as the second goal for the Lady Dutch came at the 59-minute mark by sophomore striker Mary Sangster, her ninth goal of the season, with the assist by Ballnik. A Cardinals’ foul in penalty box with 7:30 to go set up a penalty kick and Ballnik’s second goal of the match and third for Manchester.

The fourth and final goal of the game was from a converted corner kick taken by Sangster and netted by junior Captain Hayley Ray for a final 4-0 tally.

“Our corner kick conversion percentage is very good so far this season,” stated coach Dan Tar. “We have six goals in three games from corners.”

The next game for the Lady Dutch was played the following day, Thursday April 22, against the visiting Grass Lake Warriors. The Manchester team struck quickly, scoring the first goal within the first minute of play from a long shot by Ballnik assisted by sophomore striker Grace Helmke. Nine minutes later, the second goal was from freshman winger Emma Woods assisted by Sangster. Entering halftime, the Lady Dutch held a 2-0 lead.

In the second half, the Manchester team continued to press, netting the third goal by Sangster unassisted, after intercepting a loose ball in the Grass Lake penalty box. The fourth goal was from Helmke, assisted by freshman Fiona Howard. At 54 minutes, Woods netted the fifth goal, assisted by freshman Gianna Turek. Three more goals were scored by Manchester — one from Ballnik, and two from Turek, all assisted by Woods. This, combined with excellent defense by freshman Lydia Bennett, sophomores Emma & Sara Hock, and junior Madison Chizek, gave the Lady Dutch an 8-0 win as the game ended early due to the “mercy” rule utilized in high school soccer.

The Lady Dutch will have two matches this week, with the first on Monday, April 26 at Michigan Center with a 5:30 pm start. The second match is Wednesday, 5:30 pm, at home vs Quincy.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.