Hornets Advance In Field Hockey Playoffs

The Hornets field hockey team advanced to the third round of the Michigan High School Field Association playoffs with a 1-0 victory over East Grand Rapids.

Junior Sara Ball scored the only goal of the game early in the second half and the Hornets defense shut down East Grand Rapids.

Saline faces Ann Arbor Pioneer, ranked second in the state, at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Pioneer High School.

The Hornets controlled play for most of the first half but failed to score on their chances. East Grand Rapids pushed back to control the late part of the first half.

Saline dominated the first dozen minutes of the second half and was finally rewarded with a goal. From the right wing, Annie Carter centered a pass into the circle. Alli Cope blasted a shot on goal. The goalie came way out of the net to make the save. Sarah Ball smacked home the rebound for the game’s only goal at 22:53 of the second half.

Jessie Opaleski recorded the shutout in goal for Saline.

“Early on, we were inches from scoring several times, and things looked really good. But we got a little sloppy. I thought we did a great job in the second half running to the ball and cutting the other team’s pass.. We just seemed to get to the ball a step faster than the other team,” said coach Don Hes.

Hes credited the play of junior Annie Carter.

“In tight places and under pressure, she’s able to use her skills to create space and pass the ball to her teammate,” said Hes.

Carter said the team was pleased by its victory Saturday.

“It’s really exciting to be able to move forward in the tournament and I really hope we can get further than this, too,” said Carter. “We played Ann Arbor Pioneer in a very tight game last year and it was a great game. We lost 1-0. Hopefully we can get a better result this time and hopefully the game is just as intense.”

Hes agreed.

“Pioneer has a great team and they are at home, so it’s a challenge, but also an opportunity,” Hes said. “It’s always great to play a great team.”