Northville edges Plymouth with solid ‘D’, rainbow goal
Northville’s Monica Barretto (white jersey) and Plymouth’s Samantha Portman race for the ball during Thursday’s game.
To use a golf analogy, Northville’s Macy Gugala holed a pitching wedge from 30 yards out to break a scoreless duel against Plymouth Thursday night.
Gugala one-timed a pass from Juliana Bohlen 27 minutes into the game, sending the ball on a clouds-skimming arc toward the left post.
Plymouth freshman keeper Ashleigh Meldrum, who played brilliantly after being promoted from the Wildcats’ JV-B team earlier in the day, mis-timed her leap for the ball by a half-second as the ball dropped just past the goal line.
(To check out a video highlight of Gugala’s goal, click here.)
Barretto strikes gold
Eight minutes into the second half, the Mustangs doubled their lead to 2-0 when Monica Barretto’s crossing pass from a few yards shy of the end line zipped past a diving Meldrum and onto the left foot of Ava Unger, who expertly nudged the ball into the net.
Plymouth made it interesting when Emma Johnson deposited a penalty kick with just over 23 minutes to play, slicing the Wildcats’ deficit to 2-1.
Northville’s defense — back-ended by All-State keeper Simran Magnan — was stellar from there on out, preserving the victory that improved the Mustangs’ record in the talent-loaded KLAA West to 3-0.
The Wildcats dropped to 2-3 in the division, which is led by 4-0 Brighton.
Meldrum was magnificent
The story of the night was the play of Meldrum, who made several spectacular saves against the Mustangs. On two occasions, the fearless Meldrum turned away shots from the doorstep.
(To check out video highlights of Meldrum’s best saves, click here.)
Meldrum was filling in for Plymouth’s regular keeper, Leyana Hussein, who was unavailable to play.
Mustang firepower
Hala Dent, Savannah Hoover and Amelia Deren were among the Mustangs (along with Gugala and Unger) who supplied plenty of offensive firepower for the visitors.
Johnson was outstanding for the Wildcats, igniting scoring threats that ultimately ran out of gas once the Wildcats advanced the ball within 20 yards of the net.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
