Added on May 24, 2021 Sara Swanson

The Lady Dutch heads undefeated into playoffs!

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The team celebrates with the ISL championship trophy following the victory vs. Lenawee Christian. Photo credit Scott Somerville

submitted by Scott Somerville

The Manchester High School Girls Varsity Soccer team played their final three regular season games during the week of May 17 looking to extend their undefeated season and shutout streak.

The first match, on Monday May 17, the Lady Dutch traveled to face the hosting Jonesville Comets. On an exceptionally warm spring day, the Manchester team jumped to an early lead four minutes into the match with a goal from sophomore striker Mary Sangster, assisted by freshman winger Emma Woods. Two minutes later, sophomore striker Grace Helmke converted the second goal, assisted by freshman winger Meghan (MJ) Somerville. At 19 minutes, the Comets committed a foul that set up a Manchester free kick about 25 yards from the Jonesville goal. Sangster took the free kick and placed the ball just beyond the outstretched hand of the Comets goal keeper for the third goal of the game. Manchester continued to win the possession battle and had many chances to add to the three-goal lead, but the Jonesville net-minder made many near-heroic saves to keep Jonesville from falling further behind. With 1:14 remaining in the first half, Jonesville committed a foul in the penalty box setting up a penalty kick for Manchester, which was converted by Helmke for the fourth goal of the match. At halftime, the Lady Dutch enjoyed a 4-0 lead.

In the second, the fifth Manchester goal was by sophomore mid-fielder Marlena Ballnik at the 47-minute mark, assisted by Woods. The final goal, with 13:52 remaining on the clock, was by freshman striker Fiona Howard, assisted by Ballnik. The game ended 6-0 in favor of Manchester, continuing the shutout tally at ten games.

The next match, on Thursday May 20, the Lady Dutch traveled to Lenawee Christian School (LCS) to face the Cougars in what would be the Independent Soccer League (ISL) championship deciding game. Entering the game, the Cougars and the Lady Dutch shared similar season accomplishments. Both teams were a top team in the ISL and had similar rankings in the Michigan High School Athletic Association MPR ranking. LCS had only one defeat against Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard, whereas the Lady Dutch was 12-0 going into the LCS game.

Playing on grass, on a very hot and humid afternoon, the first half was highlighted by a fast-paced game and excellent defense by both teams. Playing defense for the Lady Dutch was Helmke, sophomore outside back Sara Hock, junior inside back Madison Chizek, and anchoring the defense was speedster freshman Lydia Bennett, playing inside back. As well, junior holding-midfielder Hayley Ray contributed to neutralizing the LCS attack plus very good decision making by freshman goal keeper Megan Edwards frustrated the opposition. Likewise, the Cougars’ defense also neutralized the Manchester attack and the first half ended scoreless for both sides.

At nine minutes into the second half, the first and only goal in the match originated when Somerville received a pass wide right from the mid-field, cut in toward the goal while dribbling by two Cougar defenders and the approaching Cougar keeper to find Howard near the far post who made the finish to give the Lady Dutch the 1-0 lead. When asked about scoring the winning goal Howard said, “Without this amazing team, our wonderful coaches, and how much effort we put into our team we wouldn’t have been able to score the winning goal against LCS.”

The remaining 32 minutes were, as with the first half, a defensive showdown. The Cougars stepped up their play and pressured relentlessly as the Lady Dutch defense held firm and ultimately held scoreless a team that, on average, scores over 5 goals per game to give Manchester their eleventh shutout of the season. The win secured the Independent Soccer League Championship for Manchester. “The girls worked extremely hard against a very good LCS team,” stated Head Coach Dan Tar. “The weather was nobody’s friend as well. I am very proud of the effort in our biggest win of the year.”

The final game of the regular season was played the following night, Friday May 21 vs. the Royals of Blissfield at home. Like the previous night, the weather was hot and humid and playing on turf made the temperature feel even higher.

The Lady Dutch jumped out to another quick start and scored at the 4-minute mark from a Ballnik goal, assisted by Sangster’s corner kick. The second goal came four minutes later by Sangster assisted by Ballnik. The third Manchester goal came with 26:40 left in the first, again by Sangster, her 27th goal of the regular season. The goal was assisted by Howard. Toward the end of the first, Blissfield was able to get on the scoreboard by gathering a loose ball near the Manchester goal for the finish and entering halftime the score was 3-1 in favor of the Lady Dutch.

During halftime, the senior class athletes from this year and last year were recognized. From this year’s 2021 senior class, Alyssa Lauer. 2020 seniors included Megan Mann, Mikayla Ball, Natalie Bargardi, Rylee Spitler and Megan Reppert.

As play resumed in the second half, the Royals continued to press as the heat and fatigue from playing a difficult game the day before began to weigh down on the Lady Dutch players. With about eight minutes left in the second, the Royals scored their second goal and were rejuvenated to score another. The Manchester coaches adjusted the formation to play more defensive in the remaining time and the strategy prevailed as the Royals were unable to convert the tying goal, giving Manchester the 3-2 win and a perfect 14-0-0 regular season.

The Lady Dutch have earned a #1 seed and a first round bye in the upcoming Div. 4 District 53 playoffs. The first playoff game for Manchester will be June 1 vs. the winner of Ypsilanti Arbor Prep. vs. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central. The game will be played at Lenawee Christian School with a 5 pm start.