The Dexter Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Despite injuries, Dexter thrives
By Don Richter, Sports Editor
PUBLISHED: May 15, 2008
Dexter's girls' soccer team shutout visiting Dearborn 2-0 last Friday. With the victory, the Dreadnaughts (8-2-2) are unbeaten in four straight games.
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"Dearborn is a solid team that we controlled the majority of the game, but did not finish well," said Dexter coach Scott Forrester. "That in mind, our players didn't get frustrated and continued to play a solid game."
Though winning, Dexter has had to overcome multiple injuries lately. With six players out with injuries and another missing because of illness, the Dreadnaughts, who've reached the Division 2 state semifinals the past two seasons, have had to step up their game recently.
Against the Pioneers (6-3-4) Dexter opened the scoring with a goal by senior Katie Marsh, who'll play next season at Eastern Michigan University, giving the Dreads a 1-0 lead with less than a minute remaining in the first half.
In the second half, Dexter put away Dearborn with a goal by sophomore Emma Monaghan for the final 2-0 score. Marsh picked up an assist on the play for the Dreadnaughts.
"Our injuries are forcing other players to step up and fill specific team needs," Forrester said. "I am pleased at how they have accepted the challenge."
With numerous players out, Forrester called up talented freshman Kai Cortright from the JV team.
"I was impressed with how Kai fit in with the speed of play," Forrester said. "I knew that she had the technical and physical ability, but wasn't sure how she would adjust to the varsity level."
Last Thursday, Dexter tied county rival and host Chelsea 0-0.
Always a closely fought, physical battle, the Dreadnaughts have gotten the better of their neighbors going 6-0-3 in the last four years against the Bulldogs.
"Anyone who appreciates soccer would have loved to watch this game even with the lack of scoring," Forrester said. "The Dreadnaught soccer faithful would be truly proud of how the players fought through our ongoing challenges and injuries."
On May 6, host Dexter blanked Temperance Bedford 3-0. The Mules (10-2-1) have one of their best teams in years.
"I am really happy with how all the players contributed to this victory," Forrester said. "Shantal (Daratony) and Katie (Marsh) took leadership roles on the field along with (Caitlin) Henderson with Amanda Marsh being out due to injury. The score wasn't indicative of the number of opportunities we created, along with key personal out due to injuries, I thought the team played well."
Out with injuries against Bedford were junior forward Brittany Walls (concussion), senior midfielder Amanda Marsh (sprained ankle), senior defender Colleen Cottrell (back injury) and senior midfielder Megan Dinser (sprained ankle). With the injuries, Dexter started with only three field players and one keeper as substitutes.
Three and a half minutes into the game, Daratony scored on a header off a corner kick from Katie Marsh for a 1-0 lead.
Six minutes into the second half, Daratony scored her second goal of the game upping the Dreadnaughts' advantage to 2-0. Katie Marsh assisted on the goal for Dexter.
With 14 minutes remaining, Katie Marsh scored for the night's final tally.
Earning the shutout in net for the Dreadnaughts were keepers Zaryn Jennings and Rachelle Alcini.
On May 1, visiting Dexter shutout Ann Arbor Pioneer 1-0.
The Dreadnaughts scored the game-winning goal with 12 minutes left in the first half as Katie Marsh blasted a free kick from 25 yards away past the sprawling Pioneer keeper.
Recording the shutout in net for Dexter was Alcini.
"I felt the officiating let both teams down," Forrester said. "We wore the brunt of it when we lost Amanda (Marsh with sprained ankle in first half). We had four players out due to injury prior to losing her, so you must commend the players for stepping up and beating a quality opponent that was ranked in the top 10 in Division 1.
"I will remember the heart that the players played with today for a very long time."
On May 29, host Dexter lost only its second game of the season when Saline defeated the Dreads 3-2.
"The clichÈ of, 'It was a game of two halves' is definitely appropriate," Forrester said. "We had our worst half of soccer tonight. Hopefully, we will never see that side of this team again.
"On the other hand, if you watched only the second half of the game you would have thought that you were looking at the next state champion. Down 3-0 and come back and almost win against a quality team was incredible to be a part of."
Midway through the first half, the Hornets (6-1-1), ranked No. 10 in the state in Division 1, scored taking a 1-0 lead.
Four minutes later, Saline added to its advantage with a goal and a 2-0 margin.
Late in the first half, the Hornets scored again for a 3-0 lead.
In the second half, Dexter came out fired up, applying relentless pressure to Saline.
With 18 minutes left on the clock, the Dreadnaught pressure finally forced the Hornets to break as Dinser scored cutting the Saline lead to 3-1.
With 14 minutes remaining, Amanda Marsh scored off a Dinser pass trimming the Hornet advantage to the night's final 3-2 tally.
Dexter next travels to Tecumseh for a game Thursday at 5:30 p.m.
On Saturday, the Dreadnaught host Fenton at 11:30 a.m.
On Tuesday, Dexter visits Adrian for a contest at 5:30 p.m.
On Wednesday, the Dreads host Ypsilanti Lincoln at 7:30 p.m. at Al Ritt Field.
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