Girls’ soccer team positions itself for post-season play

The MHS Soccer team

article and photos by Scott Somerville

Throughout the week of May 15, the Manchester Lady Dutch Varsity Soccer Team completed their most competitive week of matches since the beginning of the 2023 season.

The first match versus the Cougars of Lenawee Christian School was Monday, May 15, at home. Wearing green jerseys in support of Mental Health Awareness Month (sponsored by SRSLY Manchester), Manchester looked to advance their standing in the Independent Soccer League (ISL) conference with a victory over the Cougars. Yet it was the Cougars who scored first, 25 minutes into the match, with a free kick set piece. Six minutes later, senior captain Marlena Ballnick tied the game with a powerful shot to the far post over the hands of the Cougars’ goal keeper. Ballnick’s goal was assisted by junior Emma Woods. Going into halftime, the score was knotted at one apiece.

Most of the second half was a defensive battle, with both teams having opportunities to score but unable to convert. At 16:17 left in the match, senior captain Mary Sangster netted the go-ahead goal with the assist from Ballnick. For the remaining time, the Lady Dutch contained the Cougars and clinched the 2–1 victory. The victory places the Lady Dutch at the top spot in the ISL. A victory against Michigan Center on Monday, May 22, will secure the conference championship for the second time in the past three years.

On Wednesday, May 17, Manchester traveled to Adrian to face the Division 2 Maples of Adrian High School. Entering the match, the powerful Maples held a 13–2–1 record and averaged 4.2 goals per game. Fourteen minutes into the match, the Maples fouled Manchester, resulting in a free kick just outside the left side of the penalty box near the end line. Taken by senior captain Grace Helmke, a nice chip shot was volleyed by junior Meghan Somerville near the far post, over the Maples’ keeper’s hands, to an awaiting Ballnick, who buried the ball into the back of the net for the go-ahead goal. Eleven minutes later, Manchester scored again from Sangster with the assist by Ballnick. Adrian fought back and scored two quick goals with 8:34 and 3:01 left on the clock in the first. Entering halftime, the match was tied 2–2.

During halftime, the Manchester captains energized the team with rousing halftime speeches setting the stage for a brilliant second half of play. In the second, Manchester struck first, 19 minutes into the half, from a Ballnick volley across the Maples’ penalty box to Somerville, who settled the ball and laid a pass to the approaching Helmke, who skillfully placed the shot in the upper right side of the goal. Four minutes later, Ballnick intercepted an errant ball from the Maples and found Sangster in the middle.

Recognizing space on the right wing, Sangster chipped a ball to Somerville, who out-ran the outside back and found the far side of the net for the eventual game-winning goal. With 17 minutes remaining in the game, the Maples continued to press and netted their third goal with 9:26 left in the match. For the remaining time, the Manchester defense of seniors Emma and Sara Hock, junior Lydia Bennett, junior midfielder Fiona Howard, and sophomore midfielder Lila Harvey, together with junior goalkeeper Megan Edwards, who tallied five saves for the match, were able to contain the Maples’ potent offense to seal the 4–3 victory for Manchester.

Friday, May 19, the Panthers of Parma Western visited Manchester on a humid and rainy evening. This was the second match this year between the Panthers and Lady Dutch. The first was during the Clinton Cup in late April where Manchester edged Parma Western 1–0. Knowing that revenge might be on the visitors’ minds, the Manchester coaches and captains prepared the team for the eventual hard-fought match.

Most of the first half was a back-and-forth battle between the two teams, with Manchester holding the edge in the all-important ball-possession statistic. With 15 minutes left on the clock, Somerville was fouled on the right side of the pitch, just outside the penalty area, setting up the free kick for Manchester. Taken by Helmke, a perfect shot to the upper left corner of the goal netted Manchester the first score of the match. This gave Helmke her eighth free-kick direct goal of her Manchester career. Entering halftime, the Lady Dutch held a 1–0 advantage.

During halftime, the senior class was recognized for their outstanding contributions to Manchester soccer during their tenure. This year’s seniors are defender Emma Hock, who will attend Rochester University, defender Sara Hock, who will attend Concordia University, midfielder and captain Grace Helmke, who will attend and play collegiate soccer at Baldwin Wallace University, midfielder and captain Marlena Ballnick, who will attend and play collegiate soccer at Madonna University, and forward and captain Mary Sangster, who will attend Albion College.

In the second half, Manchester continued to control the possession game, but outstanding goalkeeping by the Panthers’ keeper, Meadow Pratt, kept Manchester contained. With just seconds left in the match, Emma Hock found Sangster open in the middle, who dribbled up the center, around the Panthers center back, and found the back of the net with 0:03 left on the clock. The final score was 2–0, sealing a perfect week for the Lady Dutch.

Manchester has two remaining regular-season games. Monday, May 22, versus Michigan Center (Away) and Thursday, May 25, versus Olivet High School (Home).

The 2023 Lady Dutch Varsity Soccer Team with their green jerseys to recognize Mental Health Awareness Month. Jerseys were sponsored by SRSLY Manchester. Photo by Scott Somerville

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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.