Sports

Saline Hornets Improve to 5-0 in SEC Soccer

Saline dominated nearly every inch of the field in a 3-0 win over Chelsea Tuesday

Saline's varsity soccer team improved to 5-0 in the SEC with Tuesday's 3-0 victory over Chelsea at Saline High School.

(For a photo gallery of the game, )

The Hornets scored three three first half goals and hung on for the shutout victory, giving up just three shots on goal.

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Saline controlled the play territorially for the first 16 minutes of the game. Saline had five corner kicks in the opening 15 minute of play.

Taylor Mulder opened the scoring with 23:53 to play in the half. Mulder burst up the middle of the field at then scored on a shot into the lower right corner from 20 yards.

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The Hornets offense began to look even more dangerous as they patiently placed passes around the Chelsea zone, waiting for the opporunity to strike.

With 16:20 to play in the half, Caitlyn Ellis threaded a pass through two Chelsea defenders to spring Kristina Veal on a short breakaway. As the goalie came out to challenge, Veal kicked a shot past her and into the goal for a 2-0 lead.

Saline continued to attack. With 1:12 to play, the Hornets moved the ball around the Chelsea zone, starting along with right sideline and moving to the middle. Melissa Stevens finished the play with a perfectly placed ball over the goalie for a 3-0 lead.

The Hornets were a little sloppy for the first eight minutes of the second half, but resumed territorial dominance for the remainder of the game.

Coach Dana Restrick said the team is playing very well after a tough non-conference schedule to open the season.

"We played a tough teams and you can see that we've gotten better because of it. We competed at a high level and now we're bringing that speed and level of play to our conference games," Restrick said.

She attributed the team's territorial dominance to ball movement.

"Our possession this year is much better. We're moving off the ball for each other. We're making one and two-touch passes, and that made us effective against Chelsea," Restrick said.

The Hornets host Ypsilanti May 10.


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