Troy advances with double-overtime victory over Midland Dow
LAKE ORION — It took 100 minutes, but Troy will have another shot at a regional championship.
Failing to win in the regional finals in 2004, 2008 and 2010, the Colts worked some extra time Tuesday to post a 1-0, double-overtime victory over Midland Dow in a Division 1 regional semifinal at Lake Orion High School and reach the regional finals for the.
Jason Leslie scored the game’s only goal with 6:01 left in the second extra session, volleying in a cross from Ian Fox.
Junior Matt Smolinski recorded the team’s 16th shutout for the Colts, making four saves.
Midland Dow finishes the season 15-5-3.
MANAUVERING THROUGH TRAFFIC: Troy's Ian Fox brings the ball up field during Tuesday's Division 1 regional semifinal against Midland Dow. Fox assisted on the game winner in the Colts' 1-0 triumph. Photo | Larry McKee, www.lmckeephotography.com
Troy will face Walled Lake Northern, honorable mention in the rankings, at 12 p.m. Saturday for the regional championship. Walled Lake Northern upset Grand Blanc, 1-0, in a shootout in Tuesday’s first semifinal.
Since winning the D-1 state championship in 2003, Troy had lost in the regional round three times.
The sixth-ranked Colts, who are 0-3 in regional finals games during the previous seven seasons, dropped a 1-0, double-overtime decision to Rochester Adams in the 2004 regional finals, were defeated by Grand Blanc in the 2008 regional finals, 2-1, in a shootout and lost to Grand Blanc, 3-2, in last year’s regional title match.
Troy, which won regional titles in 1994, 1996 and 2003, also lost in the regional finals in 2000, are 3-4 all-time in regional final games.
— Dan Stickradt
Category: High School, High School (M-Z), Prep Wraps, Troy
