Northville paints 3-0 masterpiece on special night for seniors
Senior Daniela Recio Romero advances the ball during Tuesday night’s Senior Night victory over Livonia Stevenson.
From a steady rain fizzling out to a drizzle just minutes before its Senior Night ceremony, to 80 minutes of dominating play, Tuesday night’s match couldn’t have unfolded much better for Northville’s girls soccer team.
After celebrating its seven seniors — Sara Bambenek, Amelia Deren, Simran Magnan, Daniela Recio Romero, Ava Unger, Kendall Leutheuser and Annie Hummel, and their parents — the Mustangs prevailed 3-0 in a non-conference match against Livonia Stevenson.
Turned away at the doorstep on multiple occasions in the opening 36 minutes by Spartan sophomore goal-keeper Ava Alvarado, the Mustangs broke the scoring ice 3 minutes and 26 seconds before halftime on Summer Larson’s well-struck left-footed shot that found an opening between a diving Alvarado and the left post.
Textbook first goal
In a perfect display of teamwork, the ball was possessed or touched by four Mustang players before Larson’s exclamation point shot. (To check out a video of Larson’s goal, click here.)
Anchored by its All-State keeper Magnan, the Mustangs’ defense held the Spartans to a handful of scoring threats, the most dangerous coming when Jaylyn Lewis pushed the ball down the right side of the pitch before unleashing a hard shot from 20 yards out that sailed just wide of the left post.
Northville tallied an insurance goal with 13:21 left to play when Deren sent a high-arcing free kick toward the left side of the net.
Fittingly, senior scores second net-finder
Savannah Hoover deftly touched the ball to Unger, who settled it with her left hip before drilling a dagger past Alvarado. (To check out a video of Unger’s goal, click here.)
The Mustangs’ final goal game with 2:07 left when sophomore Sahra Al-Zoubi hammered a low laser into the back of the net.
Northville has now registered shutouts in six of its last seven matches, the lone non-clean sheet coming in a 4-3 setback to Brighton.
Alvarado’s best save of the night came mid-way through the first half when she got her body in front of a shot delivered by Zaina Fakhoury, who had controlled a touch pass by Larson.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
