Karapas Scores Winner as Saline Edges Skyline

Nick Karapas scored with 19 seconds to play to lift Saline to a 7-6 win over Skyline in a physical, hard-fought battle at Saline High School.

Karapas scored two goals and assisted on three others to lead the Hornets, who improved to 6-3 overall and 3-1 in the SEC. Tommy Hickey scored four goals for Saline.

Coach Matt Ceo said that with Brad Harris out for the season with a broken wrist, the Hornets are looking for players to step up. Karapas fit the bill Monday night.

“He probably had the best game of his career. You hate to lose Brad. He’s a leader on and off the field. But at the same time this is an opportunity for guys to step up. Nick did that tonight,” said Ceo.

Saline was down 2-0 after the first quarter after goals by Sam Olson and Alex Wood. Skyline extended the lead to 3-0 early in the second when Jack Fisher score.

But Saline responded 13 seconds later with a goal by Tommy Hickey. It was the first of four goals for the junior. Trevor Carey scored unassisted to make it 3-2 with 5:14 to play in the second quarter.

“Trevor is a senior who is taking it on himself to lead the team right now,” Ceo said.

Dan Lee gave Skyline a 4-2 lead with 5:25 to play in the third. Just over 30 seconds later Hickey scored from Brett Braun to make it 4-3. Saline finally evened the score with 3:10 to play. Hickey scored from Karapas to complete the hat trick.

Momentum in the physical game swung Saline’s way. With 7:48 to play Karapas scored an unassisted marker to give Saline its first lead of the game. But less than a minute later, Wood scored his second of the game for Skyline.

With 2:43 left, Karapas took a pass, ran up the center of the field and passed to Hickey in front of the net. Hickey scored to give Saline a 6-5 lead. But just 30 seconds later, John Crowley replied for Skyline.

Finally, with 19 seconds left, Karapas had the ball on the left sideline. He curled back and around to center and ripped a shot from 15 yards out to win the game.

Ceo said that it was a big victory.

“We’ve been on the wrong end of a couple close games this year, so this was nice. Any time you get a win in league against a good team like Skyline, you’re pleased,” Ceo said.

The game was extremely chippy at times, but Ceo said it never crossed the line.

“That was just kids being aggressive and battling for loose balls. As a coach, that’s what you want to see,” Ceo said.

Saline hosts Dexter Tuesday night.