Adams holds off shorthanded Stoney Creek

CLOSING THE GAP: Rochester Stoney Creek's Kevin Wilcox tries to block the shot of Rochester Adams' Dylan Knott during Tuesday's rivalry clash. Courtesy Photo | Randall McAdory.

BY DAN STICKRADT

SENIOR EDITOR

dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com

ROCHESTER HILLS — There is a large amount of parity in the OAA Red Division boys soccer circle this season, with no apparent team expected to run away with the league crown.

In fact, all seven teams appear to have similar talent.

Rochester Adams still made quite a statement Tuesday with its second straight win over a league arch-rival. The Highlanders held the upper hand on host Rochester Stoney Creek and recorded a 2-1 victory over the Cougars.

Adams also defeated Rochester, 3-2, last Thursday and has now won four of its first five contests overall in an eight-day span.

The Highlanders (4-1-0) outshot Stoney Creek by a 15-7, including 7-6 with shots directly on goal, and even held a 7-1 edge on cornerkicks, but still had to stave off the Cougars’ comeback bid to win for the third time in five days and second win in as many days.

Adams defeated Grand Blanc, 2-1, in Monday night, avenging a loss in last year’s Division 1 regional semifinals. The Highlanders also own a 5-1 win over Royal Oak and a 2-0 setback to Ann Arbor Pioneer this season.

“We’re learning. We were up 2-0 with (them being) a man down and you shouldn’t let a team (like that back into the game),” said Adams coach Josh Hickey. “We’re making mistakes. But overall I think we’re making the right mistakes at the right times. We’re learning from our mistakes. I’m pleased overall.”

The Cougars played the final 44:24 down a man after Scott Alampi received a red card for foul language late in the first half. By that point, the Cougars were already in a two-goal hole.

Adams went up 1-0 in the 25th minute, when Jake Parnell scored on a rebound off his own shot. Austin Ksoll’s cornerkick into the box was cleared out to Parnell, who laced a pair of shots before the second attempt found the back of the net.

The Highlanders made it 2-0 with 9:23 left in the first half, when junior Ted Hurst scooped up a loose ball and unleashed a cannon shot from 25 yards away that found the netting inside the left post.

The Cougars (4-2-2) upped their intensity in the final 20 minutes despite playing down a man and eventually cut into the lead. Stoney Creek finally spoiled the shutout when Adam Anderson corralled a clearing attempt and blasted a shot from 22 yards out that curled inside the left post with 8:38 left.

“I think that they picked up their intensity and played with some urgency,” said Hickey of Stoney Creek’s comeback. “We played a little too comfortable. I don’t think we let our guard down necessarily. I think once they got that goal they had hope again.”

The Cougars could not muster the equalizer despite constant pressure down the stretch. Playing over half the game with only 10 available players hurt Stoney Creek’s chances of a complete comeback.

MOVING ON UP: Rochester Adams' Jake Parnell dribbles the ball towards Rochester Stoney Creek's goal during Tuesday's game. Courtesy Photo | Randall McAdory.

“This early in the season, emotions run high in games like these,” offered Stoney Creek coach Adam Bican. “We had a selfish act with one of our guys getting a red card. I thought we played extremely well being a man down. I thought we played with a lot of heart and intelligence. But I thought that Adams played an extremely high skilled game. Hats off to them and their coaching staff. I look forward to playing Rochester Adams again.

“I think that anyone can beat anyone on any given night,” added Bican. “I think that will make for some really exciting soccer. That being said, people feel like the (OAA-Red) is down. I think its as strong as any league in the state.”

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JUGGLING ACT: Rochester Adams' Ted Hurst tries to corral the ball out of the air during the Highlanders' 2-1 win Tuesday over Rochester Stoney Creek. Courtesy Photo | Randall McAdory.

Tags: boys soccer, featured, high school boys soccer, Prep Boys Soccer, Rochester Stoney Creek Soccer, RochesterAdams Soccer

Category: High School, High School (M-Z), Prep Wraps, Rochester Adams, Rochester Stoney Creek, Uncategorized