Kane’s venom lifts surging Adams past Rochester

ROCHESTER HILLS — Two weeks ago, Justin Kane found an unusual growth on his right foot, the aftermath of a spider bite. The oddity has served to be quite the poison for every player that has tried to mark him on the soccer pitch..

Kane, a senior forward from Rochester Adams, has been playing with plenty of venom up top for the Highlanders, scoring five goals in the past three games for the Highlanders, including both goals in Thursday’s 2-0 OAA Red Division win over arch-rival Rochester..

Kane also scored two goals against New Baltimore Anchor Bay last Saturday and the only goal in Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Rochester Stoney Creek. He has booted home the venomous game-winner in each match in that three-game stretch..

“As a forward you never know when you might get your chances,” said Kane, who now has eight goals on the season. “I’ve had a lot of chances the past few games and I have been able to score. We lost 13 seniors from last year’s team and we have 13 seniors again. I think we’re just starting to play much more as a team and we’re scoring a lot more goals.”.

Adams coach Josh Hickey has seen the play of Kane and the rest of the Highlanders elevate over the past few games..

“Ever since (Kane) got that bite and his foot swelled, he’s been a better player. He’s been scoring goals,” said Adams coach Josh Hickey. “He’s scoring goals and Dylan Knott has been unbelievable. He (dominates) every game.”.

Knott, a junior, had a foot on the first goal. Dribbling down the middle of the field for nearly 30 yards, his initial breakaway shot was stymied by Rochester senior goalkeeper Chris Stewart. Kane was there to pounce on the prey and blasted home the rebound just 2:42 into the contest from 12 yards out..

Adams, which controlled play throughout the first half, caught the Falcons in their web once again with 27:35 still to go in the opening half. Collecting a through pass from senior Cameron Casey, Kane turned and fired a shot from 30 yards out that sailed just under the crossbar to cap the scoring..

Knott also misfired on a close-range shot and Casey rattled a blast off the crossbar midway through the second half for Adams (8-3-3, 3-0-3)..

“This game was huge,” said Hickey. “We have some big games coming up, including (league leader) Troy next week,” said Hickey. “I think we are starting to play at the level I know we can play.”.

Rochester, which has allowed less than a goal a contest this season, gave up two goals for only the third time in 13 games. The Falcons (5-4-4, 1-2-1) generated some chances in the second half but were blanked for the second straight game..

“I could tell in the pregame with the way we were warming up and the way they were warming up, that we could be in trouble,” said Rochester coach Chris Purgatori. “We were flat and I knew they would get chances because of that. Then they were up 1-0 three minutes into the game and really put us on our heels.”.

Ryan Dzierwski made three saves for the Highlanders, who recorded three saves for the team’s sixth shutout of the campaign. Adams has outscored its opposition 16-2 in its last four games, including 9-1 in its last three games..

“It’s a lot of things,” said Hickey. It’s format changes, lineup changes, and they know now they can do it.”

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Category: Rochester, Rochester Adams