Perfect free kick, dramatic save propel Salem into KLAA semis
Salem’s Alik Yeremian dribbles through traffic Thursday night against Dearborn.
Of the millions of free kicks that have been launched around the globe in the past 10 several years, few were more perfectly placed than the net-seeking missile that was lasered Thursday night by Salem senior Lauren Fowler.
The kick was so precise, you’d think AI had a hand in it.
With seven minutes remaining in the first half of the KLAA Gold match-up between the host Rocks and Dearborn, Fowler struck a free kick from 19 yards out that ascended just over the outstretched fingertips of Pioneer keeper Jenna Medlej and a couple inches below the crossbar to account for the lone goal in a thrilling, down-to-the-last-second match-up.
Pioneers came in hot
Prior to Thursday, Medlej and the Pioneers’ well-organized defense had allowed just one goal (against Livonia Stevenson) in their past seven matches.
Thursday’s match proved that even low-scoring encounters can be as entertaining as a 5-4 result.
Both teams knocked on the door of scoring, but due to poor luck and excellent defensive efforts, Fowler’s kick was the only one to meet the mesh.
Alik was awesome
In addition to Fowler, several Rocks excelled, including mid-fielder Alik Yeremian, who manufactured several Salem scoring threats, and senior forward Alex L’Heureux, who with Fowler and Aubrey Krischano forms a dynamic threesome up top for Salem.
If Hockey Night In Canada-esque stars were handed out following the match, Salem keeper Addy Messer would no doubt have earned the second star behind only Fowler.
Messer made a spectacular one-on-one save in the first half before sealing the win by securing a Dearborn corner kick after it hit the cross-bar with the final seconds ticking off the scoreboard.
The victory earned Salem a spot in the KLAA semifinals Tuesday at 7 p.m. against Northville. The Mustangs won the two teams’ first meeting, 2-0.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
