GIRLS SOCCER: Rochester blanks Grand Blanc to reach regional finals
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BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
Twitter: @LocalSportsFans
WEST BLOOMFIELD — Maddie Moote has chosen the opportune time to come out of a scoring slump.
The junior midfielder from Rochester scored twice Saturday in a 3-2, shootout win over Rochester Adams in a Division 1 district final. She then returned to the soccer pitch Tuesday night and netted the game winner in the seventh-ranked Falcons’ 2-0 shutout of unranked Grand Blanc in a regional semifinal at West Bloomfield High School.
“I think I am timing my runs better,” admitted Moote. “I think I am understanding my runs better and my teammates have done a great job of getting me the ball.”
“I told her before the game, ‘Start the game the way you ended the Adams game,’” noted Rochester coach Cliff Brandmier. “She was one of the sole reasons we got to play tonight. She was outstanding Saturday and she got the early goal for us tonight.”
ONE HURDLE AT A TIME: Rochester’s Jenna Maletzke leaps over Grand Blanc’s Annie Walker during Tuesday’s Division 1 regional semifinal. Photo | Larry McKee, www.lmckeephotography.com, lmckeephotography@comcast.net
The Falcons scored a goal in each half to back the solid goaltending of Stephanie Heber, another hero in the Falcons’ postseason run. Heber added to her single-season school record total for shutouts, now at 17. The Seton Hall-bound talent also lowered her goals-against average ton around 0.37, as she has allowed only 11 goals in 24.50 games this season.
“There’s a reason she is known as one of the best keepers in the state. She just stepped up to the plate,” boasted Brandmier of Heber.
On the first goal, Moote retrieved a pass from Aubrey Konal, spun around and lofted a bending rifle from 20 yards out that landed in the upper 90 of the net only 3:57 into the contest.
In the second half, Sofia Farah headed home a cross from Moote with 15:37 to play to cap the scoring.
Rochester controlled play throughout much of the first half, only to see Grand Blanc rev up a flurry of shots inside the final 10 minutes of the frame. The Bobcats (13-9-2) could not net the equalizer before the half.
Heber finished with eight saves for Rochester, although she had to stop a first half breakaway by Grand Blanc’s Annie Walker with 4:16 left in the first half and she dove to her right to stop another shot from Allison Winterfield with 6:13 remaining in the contest.
Both teams traded off eight shots in the contest, with Grand Blanc holding an 8-6 edge with shots directly on frame. Rochester held a 4-3 edge on cornerkicks.
The early deficit seemed to deflate Grand Blanc, while the second goal sealed the Bobcats’ fate.
“We started slow, which is what we did against Davison (in the district finals),” explained Grand Blanc coach Greg Kehler. “I thought we did a much better job late in the half, settling down and creating a bunch of shots. We struggled for a while. I think if we could have knocked one in, it might have made a big difference. But Rochester’s goalie was very good. She made a big difference. When we had a good opportunity, she came through for them with the save.”
Rochester (18-2-5) will face Hartland, 2-0 winners over Midland Dow (19-3-0) in the first semifinal Tuesday, in the regional finals Thursday at West Bloomfield.
HARTLAND 2, MIDLAND DOW 0: Hartland moved up to Division 1 around a dozen years. This is the first time since that enrollment induced promotion that the Eagles have enjoyed this long a stay in the postseason.
Hartland continued its best start in school history at 16-2-2 with this shutout of unranked Midland Dow in this Division 1 regional semifinal at West Bloomfield High School.
Chay McNitt volleyed in a cronerkick from Rachel Washburn with 34:50 left in the first half for what proved to be the game winning goal.
With 31:09 left in the second half, Maddie Pogarch finished off a cross from Michelle Rollins for the second goal.
Brenna Seaman made three saves for the shutout for Hartland. The Eagles outshot Midland Dow (19-3-0) by a 7-4 margin, including 4-3 with shots directly on goal.
ROCHESTER GIRLS SOCCER—LONGEST POSTSEASON TOURNAMENT RUNS
2013: Still playing, regional finalist.
2007: State Runner-Up, lost to Novi (2-1).
2006: Regional Finalist, lost to Novi (1-0).
2004: Regional Finalist, lost to Grosse Pointe South (2-1, 2OT).
2002: Regional Finalist, lost to Troy (4-0).
1996: Regional Semifinalist, lost to Midland Dow (2-0).
1995: Final Four, lost to Birmingham Seaholm (2-0).
1994: Final Four, lost to Troy (2-1).
1987: Regional Semifinalist, lost to Troy Athens.
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FOR MORE SOCCER COVERAGE: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=soccer&x=0&y=0
Have photos or video of this event that you wish to share? E-mail pertinent information to www.northoaklandsports.com Senior Editor Dan Stickradt at dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com or e-mail results@northoaklandsports.com.
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