SOCCER’S BACK! Canton’s near-misses not enough against Davison
Canton junior Kelsey Ruffner gets a step on a Davison defender Wednesday night. PHOTO BY COOPER SCHWARTZ
On the final official day of winter, Davison’s girls soccer team put the freeze on host Canton.
Powered by senior goal-keeper Cally Dorman, the Cardinals survived multiple near-miss goals from the Cobras to survive with a 2-0 victory in both teams’ 2025 season opener.
Following a scoreless first half, Davison netted both of its goals while shooting against a stiff southerly breeze.
The game marked the debut of new Canton Head Coach Annette Baker.
Davison was a solid season-opening test for the Cobras as the Cardinals finished 14-4-1 in 2024, losing in a district final to Lake Orion.
Canton senior keeper Campbell Appert blanked the Cardinals in the first half. Senior keeper Elliana Hassan played the entire second half for the Cobras.
Trio shine for Cobras
Among the stars for the Cobras were seniors Emily Fagerman and Riley Langenderfer, and junior Kelsey Ruffner, all of whom applied pressure to the Cardinals’ defense.
Fagerman’s rising laser of a shot from 15 yards out mid-way through the first half was handled by Dorman.
(To check out video highlights from Wednesday’s game, click here.)
Later in the opening half, Fagerman launched a hard shot from eight yards out; however, Dorman managed to redirect the ball off the right post and out of harm’s way.
Dorman slams the door on Canton
Langenderfer delivered to close calls: a blazing first-half effort that was right at Dorman; and an early-second half looping shot from 15 yards out that tickled the middle of the cross-bar before sailing off into oblivion.
Davison scored both its goals within a 10-minute stretch of the second half.
Appert was strong between the pipes, handling most of the Cardinals’ shots with relative ease in her 40 minutes of action.
Davison’s two goals unfolded after attackers slip through the Cobras’ defense, creating difficult one-on-one situations for Appert.
Ruffner’s relentless hustle created multiple scoring opportunities for the hosts, but they were ultimately squashed by Dorman.
Ed Wright can be reached at edwright@socialhousenews.com or 734-664-4657.
