The Dexter Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Dexter reaches state semis
By Don Richter, Sports Editor
PUBLISHED: June 12, 2008
For the third straight year, Dexter's girls' soccer team has reached the Division 2 state semifinals.
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The previous two years, the Dreadnaughts lost to Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 4-1 (2007) and 2-1 to Bloomfield Hills Lahser (2006).
Last Friday, Dexter defeated Farmington 2-0 in the Division 2 state regional final at Berkley.
"Our defense was phenomenal as they shut down some very talented forwards," said Dexter coach Scott Forrester. "(Megan) Dinser coming off an injury and scoring a goal was a great surprise."
To begin the game, Dexter senior Katie Marsh knocked in her own rebound scoring to give the Dreadnaughts a 1-0 lead 13 minutes into the contest.
"Katie is lighting it up," Forrester said. "She has had a part in goals in all of our playoff games."
The rest of the first half was a physical, back and forth affair befitting a regional final. Despite attacks by the Falcons' strikers, Dexter's defense held firm and entered the break still ahead 1-0.
Eighteen minutes into the second half, Dinser, a senior, rushed past the Farmington defense to blast a rebound past the sprawled Falcon keeper for the day's final tally. Picking up an assist on the play for Dreadnaughts was Marsh.
In desperation, Farmington added a forward to their attack late in the game hoping for change in momentum. It failed to work as Forrester countered by moving sophomore Taylor Conter back defensively to support sophomore Caitlyn Rize, senior Remme Cortright and senior Caitlin Henderson.
Despite numerous attempts, the normally high-flying Falcons were grounded as Dexter clamped down defensively refusing to crack.
On June 3, the Dreadnaughts defeated Warren Regina 1-0 in a rainy regional semifinal match up at Berkley.
"With the game conditions, the game was going to be ugly," Forrester said. "But it came down to a brilliant strike from Katie (Marsh) to put us through."
Though pressuring the Saddelites for the majority of the first half, Dexter was unable to score entering the break deadlocked 0-0.
Upping their offensive attack in the second half, the Dreadnaughts maintained pressure on Regina defenders, but like the first half were unable to score, ending regulation tied at 0-0.
In the first sudden victory 15-minute overtime period, both teams continued slogging it out in the rain, but neither squad scored forcing a second sudden victory overtime session.
Two minutes into the second overtime, Marsh blistered a bouncing ball into the upper corner of the Farmington goal for the hard-earned 1-0 victory.
"Both keeper, (Rachelle) Alcini and (Zaryn) Jennings, along with backs Henderson, Rize and Cortright did a tremendous job on Regina," Forrester said. "What a way to satisfy the fans that supported us through the heavy downpour."
Dexter faced Bloomfield Hills Lahser in a state semifinal contest at Bloomfield Hills Andover after press deadline. If successful against the Knights, who've advanced to the Division 2 final the past two seasons, the Dreadnaughts would play the winner of defending state champion Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central-Portage Northern in the Division 2 state final 2:30 p.m. Saturday at East Kentwood Middle School.
No matter what happens from here on out, Forrester said he's pleased with his club's effort this postseason.
"It has been an amazing run," he said. "We've had players stepping up when teammates couldn't play due to injury. I am so proud of this team. Hopefully we end this season with a win."
Sports Editor Don Richter can be reached at 475-1371 or at drichter@heritage.com.
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