Salem takes care of business against Howell with 5-0 win
Grant Fletcher advances the ball during Thursday’s game against Howell.
It took a little longer for Salem’s soccer team to take flight Thursday night against winless Howell, but a Gold strike with 10 minutes and 40 seconds remaining in the first half sparked the Rocks’ ultimate 5-0 rout.
The victory improved second-place Salem’s KLAA West record to 5-2-1 (16 points) — three points behind front-runner 6-0-1 Northville (19 points). Teams earn three points for a victory and one for a tie.
The visiting Highlanders slipped to 0-7 in the division.
(To check out highlights from Thursday’s match, click here.)
Although the Rocks possessed the ball at a high rate during the opening 30 minutes, they couldn’t finish their attacks until senior Henry Gold hammered the ball into the back of the net 29:20 into the game.
A little cushion
Junior Jack Freeman gave the hosts some breathing room heading into the half when he knocked home a rebound 4:05 before intermission.
Two goals in 22 seconds by sophomore Chase Lieb doubled the Rocks’ advantage to 4-0 before senior Marcel Jackson capped the scoring with a slick right-footed laser from 15 yards out with 19:20 remaining in the contest.
Sophomore Peter Demetter earned the shutout in net for Salem.
Strong efforts were turned in by Bryan Baker, who banged a shot off the cross-bar in the first half, and junior Jacob Rider, who assisted on Lieb’s first goal.
Salem hosts Canton on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
