Troy uses percentages to oust Adams in regional semis
HEADSUP: Troy's Erin Wrubel (left) and Rochester Adams' Maddy Christensen collide going for the ball during Tuesday'sDivisoin 1 regional semifinal. StaffPhoto | Larry McKee, www.lmckeephotography.com
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
LAKE ORION — When two teams are somewhat even in talent, a soccer game can be decided on finishing scoring chances, making adjustments and suffering only a few mistakes.
Troy, ranked fourth heading into the postseason, was able to use all three to its advantage Tuesday at Lake Orion and that resulted in a 3-0 shutout of 10th-ranked Rochester Adams in a Division 1 regional semifinal.
Troy (18-2-2), which recorded its 17th shutout of the season, attempted only four shots in the first half and scored on three of them. The Colts moved some players around and with the wind at their backs, were able to convert of their first, third and fourth scoring chances of the game.
“I thought we adjusted really well,” said Troy coach Brian Zawislak, who made some offensive changes in the first half to take advantage of a stiff wind and their team speed. “We maintained our shape and did exactly what we wanted to do. Because of it, it stretched the field open and gave us those opportunities to finish.”
Finish, indeed. Of the four attempts, the three that were on target found the back of the net.
Senior Erin Farley converted a free kick from 25 yards out that got caught in the wind, then dipped into the corner of the goal with 29:48 to play in the first half. That proved to be the game-winner, but the Colts played the percentages well in the first half and were not done.
Freshman Phylisha Drayton was let all alone at the far post 11:41 before halftime and she buried a cross from junior Irene Young to push the lead to 2-0.
The third goal was a perfectly-slotted through ball by Young down the middle coming off a series of one-touch passes, with senior Jenna Gardner ripping a breakaway shot inside the left post with 8:02 left in the half.
Troy, which tied and defeated Adams in the regular season, played with an extra attacker and it paid dividends for the Colts, who are back in the Elite Eight for the second straight season. Last year Troy was knocked out in the regional finals by Novi (1-0).
“You can move players around and you get the personnel in different spots,” said Zawislak. “That’s the subtlety of the beautiful game.”
Adams controlled play during the first 10 minutes and outshot Troy 5-4 in the first half, 8-5 overall for the game, but only had two shots directly on target. Playing under a scorching heat, the Highlanders ran out of gas trying to make a comeback bid, attempting only three shots in the second half and only one of those was on net.
Adams coach Aaron Donaghy said his team was simply beat by Troy in this round.
“Kudos that (Troy) got that (first) goal, and then we made the mistake of letting our play drop a little bit after that and they capitalized on it,” said Donaghy said. “They were strong, they were fast and they went to war on everything. I’m not going to take anything away from that team. They came out to win it and they owned it.
“I thought we did really well for about 10 minutes. We had a couple of really good chances,” added Donaghy. “(Troy) was playing fast and long. We knew that. They do that really well. They played three high (forwards) and they love the wind, it makes them even faster. Their first goal, our (goalie) she got a hand on it, but it was too fast and too much of a curve.”
Troy sophomore goalkeeper Alison Holland made two saves on the night and was active coming off her line to play balls and crosses and thwart any type of threats the Highlanders could muster.
Troy will face unranked Grand Blanc, which toppled previously unbeaten Midland Dow, 2-1, in overtime Tuesday in a game played in Saginaw. The regional finals site and time is yet to be determined.
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Category: High School, High School (M-Z), Prep Wraps, Rochester Adams, Troy
