Salem seniors’ late-game heroics propel Rocks into Elite 8
Salem senior Lauren Fowler advances the ball during the first half of Tuesday’s regional semifinal against Dearborn.
The percentage of high school soccer players who are capable of putting their forehead on a blazing corner kick to steer the ball into the net like Salem senior Alex L’Heureux did in overtime against Dearborn Tuesday night is miniscule.
The percentage of high school keepers capable of making multiple game-saving stops, knowing one miscue could cost their team its season, like Salem senior goal-keeper Addy Messer did in the same game is probably even lower.
But thanks in large part to Alex and Addy, the Rocks advanced to the MHSAA Division 1 quarterfinals with a tension-packed 1-0 double-overtime triumph over a very talented group of Pioneers.
Now 15-3-1, Salem moved on to Thursday’s D1 regional final against Ann Arbor Skyline (12-4-1), which mercied Woodhaven, 8-0, in Tuesday’s first regional semifinal at Saline High School.
Thursday’s much-anticipated showdown is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Saline.
Persevering through the chaos
L’Heureux explained the groundwork for her goal was set at halftime by Salem Head Coach Kyle Karns.
“Coach Kyle gave a speech and said somebody needs to go in there into the chaos and attack them even though they may get pushed to the ground,” she said. “That really stuck with me and I told myself, ‘I’m going to be the one who fights through the chaos to score a goal.”
Messer revealed Tuesday night’s game was probably the best she’s played throughout her stellar career at Salem.
“Especially with all of the pressure in the game,” she added. “I made a pretty good save about three minutes into the game that got me going.”
“Having a goalie like Addy back there brings confidence to the whole team,” L’Heureux said. “Even if other teams get break-aways against her, we know she’ll stop it. She’s so solid.”
Superior set piece
L’Heureux’s goal was assisted by junior Annabeth Hazelwood, whose corner could not have been placed in a better spot.
“That was a great service into the box,” Karns raved. “We just needed someone to be brave and get on the end of it like Alex did. We told the girls at halftime it doesn’t have to be pretty, just get on the end of one.”
Karns said Messer’s 100-minute effort was special.
“Obviously, the clean scoresheet doesn’t happen without Addy,” Karns reiterated. “We knew Dearborn was going to be tough — just like they were a couple weeks ago when we beat them 1-0 — but Addy stepped up when we needed it.”
Throughout the second overtime (playoff games require that two full 10-minute overtimes be played; if no goals are scored, a PK shoot-out follows) the Rocks displayed their next-level footwork and passing, possessing the ball for big chunks of time and frustrating the Pioneers.
Clinical keep-away
One impressive sequence that unfolded in the final minutes featured Salem’s Kendall Jaskolski, Hazelwood and L’Heureux rotating a series of passes to take nearly a minute off the clock.
The possession was interrupted when a frustrated Dearborn defender shoved Jaskolski to her knees.
Salem’s history with Skyline includes a regional semifinal two years ago that was won the by Rocks, 1-0, on a goal by Lauren Fowler, who created several chances against the Pioneers along with fellow forward Aubrey Krischano.
Karns said he’s not surprised the Rocks have advanced to the Elite 8 for the third consecutive year.
“The past two years this group has made good runs and we got a good chunk of girls returning this season,” he said. “Skyline is a great program, so it’s not going to be easy. Hopefully, we can keep playing like we’ve been playing and move on (to the semifinals).”
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
