LAUNCH PARTY: Yeremian’s 2 early goals propel Salem past Canton
Salem’s Alik Yeremian delivers the first of her two first-half goals against Canton.
While AI is all the rage around the world, it was AY that helped extend the season for Salem’s girls soccer team Wednesday night against longtime rival Canton.
AY would be Alik Yeremian, who stuffed the net with two first-half goals as the Rocks went on to defeat the Cobras, 3-1.
Now 13-3-1, Salem will take on Plymouth Friday at 6 p.m. on the P-CEP North Turf Field in an MHSAA district final. Salem won the two teams’ only previous encounter this season, 3-0, back in mid-April.
Big night for AY
The way the night started for Yeremian, it appeared she was on the way to a five- or six-goal night. The talented junior ripped home a clothesline shot from 25 yards out just over three minutes into the contest to give the Rocks a lead they would never relinquish.
The shot was struck so well and so well-placed, Canton freshman keeper Logan Eiler didn’t stand a chance to divert the ball out of harm’s way.
Yeremian used some next-level dribbling to maneuver into space 15 minutes later before connecting on a shot that wasn’t stopped until it hit the back of the net.
Still fight in the Cobras
Undeterred by its 2-0 deficit, Canton struck back with 31:05 remaining in the game when Olivia Vince headed in a Shriya Desai corner kick to cut the Cobras’ hole in half.
Salem regained its two-goal advantage five minutes later when Lauren Fowler lofted an eight iron-ish shot from 30 yards out that nicked the cross-bar before dropping just on the good side (if you’re a Salem fan) of the goal line.
Salem’s defense, anchored by keeper Addy Messer, subdued the Cobras for the rest of the game.
