GIRLS SOCCER: Eisenhower’s early goals silences Rochester in district semis
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
Twitter: @LocalSportsFans
Instagram: stickradtdan
Snapchat: Dan.Stickradt
ROCHESTER HILLS — Some 24 hours earlier, Utica Eisenhower needed some late-game magic to oust Lake Orion in a Division 1 pre-district.
In the Eagles’ district semifinal Thursday at Rochester, Eisenhower did not need any heroics in the waning minutes.
The 11th-ranked Eagles scored two first-half goals behind an 11-0 shots barrage in the first 40 minutes and went on to defeat the host Falcons, 4-1, to advance to the district finals for the fifth straight season.
“We had a game last Wednesday, then we came back Tuesday after a few days off and thought we were playing. But the officials didn’t show. Then we came back Wednesday and were a little flat but still won,” said Eisenhower coach Mehrdad Nekoogar. “We were a little better today, came out and played well. And we finished our opportunities. Against Lake Orion yesterday, we struggled some (finishing) but we found a way to score in the final minute to win.
“Fnishing two chances in the first 20 minutes made a big difference. We were more relaxed when we were up 2-0,” added Nekoogar
Sophomore Meike Ingles gave Eisenhower a 1-0 advantage when she corralled a long through pass from Holly Morris, split two defenders before tucking in a shot to the far post with 35:15 left in the opening half.
The Eagles pushed the lead to 2-0 with 19:45 left on another fine individual effort. Junior Lauren DeBeau deposited a breakaway feed from Ingles to put Eisenhower in its comfort zone. The tally proved to be DeBeau’s second game-winner in as many of days
DeBeau’s 20-yard chip shot off a quick touch from Taylor Stanley with 33:24 left made it 3-0.
Rochester never even attempted a shot until their was 33:03 remaining in the contest — a shot wide of the post.
The Eagles countered with a fourth goal with 31:42 left, this time with junior Emma Campbell heading in a cornerkick from sophomore Megan Sidaway.
“We struggled a little bit with teams that high pressure you — and Eisenhower does just that with two great (strikers),” said Rochester coach Dustin Coleman. “We played great defense most of the season. We had a lot of shutouts and one-goal games. But tonight we didn’t mark them as well as we should. We let them get into the channels a little too much and they created a lot of chances. And being down 2-0 some 20 minutes into the game makes it hard to come back against a team that talented.”
Rochester (9-9-2) spoiled the shutout with 21:40 remaining, when junior Jllian Lekosiotis volleyed home a free kick from junior Mackenzie Smith.
Eisenhower dominated with a 17-5 shots advantage, including 12-2 with shots on frame, and even had the game’s only four cornerkicks.
Elizabeth McConkie and Madison Marks split time in goal for the Eagles, combining for just one save. Junior Kaitlyn Godwin made eight stops in 12 chances for Rochester.
Category: Featured Articles, High School, Most Recently Updated Stories, NOS reference, Prep Wraps, Rochester, Soccer, Sport, Top Stories, Uncategorized
