Spectacular save, top-shelf goal fuel Canton’s win over ‘Cats
Canton’s Addie Lockhart and Plymouth’s Samantha Portman battle for possession of the ball.
Almost 10 minutes into Wednesday night’s intensity-coated MHSAA district semifinal soccer match featuring Canton and host Plymouth, Wildcat Samantha Portman delivered a well-struck free kick into a scrum of players in front of the net.
The game’s momentum seemed to be riding on the ball as it found the left foot of Plymouth’s Kenleigh Ball, who ripped a sizzling shot toward inside right post from just seven yards out.
Propelling her body horizontal to the ground like Superwoman taking flight, Canton keeper Campbell Appert fisted the ball out of harm’s way, preserving the scoreless deadlock.
The spectacular save ignited the Cobras, who went on to score two first-half goals, then hang out for dear life in a 2-1 triumph over their P-CEP neighbors.
(Watch a video of Campbell Appert’s amazing save by clicking here.)
All-P-CEP final showdown
Canton advanced to Friday’s 6 p.m. district final against Salem, which throttled Westland John Glenn, 7-0, in Wednesday’s nightcap.
The game will be played on the P-CEP west turf field.
The scoring ice wasn’t broken until the 19:47 mark of the first half when Canton’s Addie Lockhart chipped a free kick just over the outstretched fingertips of Plymouth keeper Ashleigh Meldrum and inches under the cross-bar to give the Cobras a lead they would never relinquish.
(Check out Lockhart’s textbook free kick goal by clicking here.)
Canton’s Lauren McCurdy came close to extending her team’s lead to 2-0 when attempted to control a pass on the doorstep of the end line before Meldrum somehow snatched the ball before McCurdy could gain full control.
McCurdy’s persistence pays off
Undeterred McCurdy deposited an eye-opening goal just before halftime when she sent a scorching left-footed bender from the left sideline that eluded Meldrum and settled into the net just inside the right post.
Plymouth back-up keeper Leyana Hussein kept the game within reach when she stonewalled a rocket off the foot of Canton’s Kelsey Ruffner just 15 yards from the net.
The Wildcats halved their deficit to 2-1 with 18:05 left in the game when Reagan Fluharty’s textbook cross was steered into the net by Mady McCarthy.
Plymouth mounted multiple scoring threats in the game’s waning moments, but Appert and the air-tight defense in front of her preserved the one-goal win.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
