Lady Dutch Varsity Soccer defeat Temperance-Bedford

submitted by Scott Somerville

The Manchester Lady Dutch Varsity Soccer team completed their fifth week of competition with a game against the Division 1 Temperance-Bedford Kicking-Mules on Saturday April 24 in Temperance.

Playing in sunny 75 to 80 degree conditions, the Lady Dutch jumped out to an early lead 2:43 into the game from a goal scored by junior Captain Marlena Ballnik off a free kick about 25 yards from the goal. For the next 30 minutes, the two teams battled back and forth with the Lady Dutch maintaining the possession advantage. With 9:48 left in the first half, Manchester scored their second goal, again from Ballnik. The goal developed from a corner kick taken by junior Mary Sangster, perfectly placed so that Ballnik was able to head the ball past the Kicking-Mules goal keeper. Entering halftime, the Lady Dutch enjoyed a 2-0 lead.

In the second half, Temperance-Bedford started out very aggressive and netted their first goal of the match after seven minutes. For the next 30 minutes, the Kicking Mules played quickly to find the equalizer, but strong defense by the Lady Dutch held the Kicking-Mules scoreless. With 5:01 left on the clock, senior captain Hayley Ray sent an excellent through-ball to sophomore Emma Woods. Woods then worked the ball up the left side while staying ahead of the Temperance-Bedford defense to strike a perfectly placed shot just above the Kicking Mules goal keeper to give the Lady Dutch their third goal in the match. With 1:30 left in the game, Temperance Bedford committed a handling foul inside the penalty area that resulted in a penalty kick for Manchester. The Lady Dutch coaching staff gave the nod to Ballnik to take the PK which was converted successfully to give Ballnik the hat trick for the match. At
the final whistle, Manchester prevailed 4-1.

“Our team definitely stepped up for this game, with hot weather and only two subs it was crazy,” said Ballnik following the match. “Scoring a goal early in the first half set us off on the right track. Converting a header has always been something I set to achieve and I finally did it late in the first half. The excitement my team and I had made the goal even more special. Then after a hand ball in the opponent’s box and getting to take the penalty kick to get the hat trick made this a never to forget game.”

In the previous week, the Lady Dutch traveled to play against Division 1 Jackson High School on Tuesday, April 12. This game was the first meeting between Manchester and the Jackson High School Vikings, who are currently coached by former Manchester Girls and Boys soccer coach Travis Baker. In the first half, the Vikings got on the board early with a goal two minutes into the game. Manchester then re-organized and held the Vikings scoreless for the rest of the half. Unfortunately, the Lady Dutch were unable to find the equalizer and, at halftime, the Vikings held a 1-0 lead.

Two minutes into the second, the Lady Dutch struck early with a goal that developed from the right side of the pitch with a cross from sophomore Meghan Somerville to junior Grace Helmke, who then made a nice touch with the ball to Woods for the finish and the equalizer. Ten minutes later, junior Mary Sangster worked the ball up the middle, past the Vikings center back and took a shot wide that was then recovered by Helmke for the finish. However, in a controversial call, the Assistant Referee called Helmke offsides and the goal was negated. The Vikings then scored two more in the second to hand the Lady Dutch their first loss of the season, 1-3.

Two days later on April 14, Manchester traveled to Lenawee Christian School to face the Cougars. On a day with 30+ mph winds and on a poorly maintained pitch, the Cougars had the wind advantage in the first half and were able to score four times to take a 4-0 lead into the half. In the second, the Lady Dutch held the cougars scoreless, but were unable to convert several chances. At the final whistle, the Cougars prevailed 4-0.

Entering the sixth week of competition, the Lady Dutch are 2-2-1 and have three games plus a weekend tournament in Clinton:

April 25, 5:30 PM vs Michigan Center HS @ Home
April 27, 5:30 PM vs Quincy HS @ Away (18 Colfax St, Quincy)
April 29, 5:30 PM vs Grass Lake HS @ Away (11500 Warrior Trail, Grass Lake 49240)
April 30, Clinton Tournament
Game #1: 10:30 AM vs Clio HS @ Clinton Middle School
Game #2: TBD

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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.