GIRLS SOCCER: Duncan’s game-winner pushes Avondale past Royal Oak
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
Dan.Stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
Twitter: @LocalSportsFans
AUBURN HILLS — By the shear location of the soccer ball, Madison Duncan was given a gift Tuesday night.
The All-State midfielder was awarded a free kick dead center of the goal from 20 yards out in the 71st minute. Like many talented players who can often take advantage of restart situations, the senior bent the free kick around Royal Oak’s wall and into the left corner of the goal for what proved to be the game-winner in the Yellowjackets’ 2-1 OAA Red Division victory over the Ravens.
“It was in a great place” admitted Duncan. “I just lined up, picked a spot and aimed for (the corner). I was able to get to the corner of the goal.”
Avondale, which was moved up to the OAA Red Division after winning the OAA-White last season, will finish anywhere from second to fourth place in the seven-school division depending on how other games finish up over the next week.
GAINING CONTROL: Auburn Hills Avondale’s Alexa Alonso (left) shields the ball from Royal Oak’s Lauren Bos during Tuesday’s OAA Red Division match. Staff Photo | Dan Stickradt
“We wanted to be up here. This will make us better (for the state tournament),” noted Duncan about playing in one of the state’s top leagues. “We have not won a district since I’ve been here. I guess it’s been a long time.”
Avondale (8-4-3, 2-2-2) dominated long stretches of the game against Royal Oak, its final league opponent of the season. Yet the Yellowjackets could only muster bookend goals to muster the win.
“I think we could have up 3-0 early in the game,” admitted Avondale coach Doug Steinard. “We had a ton of chances and I think we dominated a lot of the game, especially the first half. Madison stepped up when we needed her to.”
Duncan scored the first goal with 36:27 left in the first half, converting a breakaway feed from Emma Ahern. Avondale had three breakaways in the game’s first 10 minutes and outshot the Ravens 7-3 in the first half.
“We gave up the early goal and we were really sluggish in the first half,” offered Royal Oak coach Kevin Robb. “I think when we came out with an attitude in the second half, started to play more aggressively that we were able to get some chances and eventually tied the game. Then we gave up the late goal on the free kick. Avondale did a nice job pressuring us with the through balls and creating chances.”
Royal Oak netted the game at 1-1 with 13:09 left in the second half, when Samantha Bartelotti headed home the ball during a wild goal mouth scramble. The play was set up by a cornerkick that bounced around the box for nearly five seconds before Bartelotti found the back of the net.
The Ravens (6-4-2, 2-3-0) will finish in fifth in the league and have one remaining game against Rochester Stoney Creek, which has already clinched the title. Royal Oak did counter with four cornerkicks in the second half and even hit the crossbar on a long-distance shot with 13 seconds left.
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