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‘WIN’ CHILL: Buzzer-beating goal ignites Salem’s big district win

 ‘WIN’ CHILL: Buzzer-beating goal ignites Salem’s big district win

Anteneh Berhan leads the Salem attack during a first-half rush against Churchill Monday night.

Salem’s boys soccer team held a precariously narrow 2-1 lead over Livonia Churchill as the final seconds ticked down in the first half of Monday night’s Division 1 district semifinal match against Livonia Churchill.

As fans — most bundled up in heavy coats and blankets due to the blustery weather conditions — started heading to the concession stand for a halftime snack (which probably included hot chocolate), senior Marcel Jackson gave the Rocks an unexpected treat as he lasered a shot into the top shelf of the goal, just inside the far post from 20 yards out to extend Salem’s lead to 3-1 with 1 tick left on the clock.

The momentum-seizing goal, which was directed straight into the setting sun, proved to be the catalyst for a huge second-half blitz by the Rocks, who ran away with a 6-2 victory over the Chargers.

Salem advanced to Wednesday’s 7 p.m. district final against Canton, which upended No. 1 seed Plymouth, 2-0, in Monday’s second semifinal on the Plymouth-Canton Educational Park’s west turf field.

(To check out video highlights of Monday’s game, click here.)

Cobras peaking at right time

The Cobras scored two second-half goals by Zac Pavlik and Nathan Gilmour to edge the Wildcats, who were ranked ninth in Division 1 in the final Michigan High School Soccer Coaches Association poll.

Jack Werner advances the ball up the pitch
Jack Werner advances the ball up the pitch

The final is expected to be compelling as both P-CEP rivals split their two regular season meetings by identical 3-2 scores.

It appeared Salem was going to earn a no-sweat triumph early on as goals by Anteneh Berhan (off a rebound) and Sachiin Kumar, who somehow booted the ball into the back of the net while being fouled by a Charger defender, gave the Rocks a 2-0 advantage just 21 minutes into the contest.

Churchill hung tough, though, as Benji Cook got behind the Salem defense before unleashing a scorching left-footed shot past Salem’s diving goal-keeper Cooper Austin to cut the Chargers’ deficit in half, 2-1.

Action Jackson

Jackson’s goal proved to be as effective as a gallon of hot chocolate, however, as the Rocks poured it on in the second half when Jackson scored again 38 seconds into the segment, giving him two net-finders in a span of just 39 seconds.

Sachiin Kumar wins the ball against a Churchill defender
Sachiin Kumar wins the ball against a Churchill defender

Salem senior Bryan Baker stretched the winners’ lead to 5-1 with 27 minutes remaining in the game before Kumar’s no-doubter penalty kick made it 6-1 with just under eight minutes on the clock.

The victory improved Salem’s record to 11-9-2 heading into Wednesday’s final, which will be played on the P-CEP’s east turf field.

Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.

Jacob Rider is pressured by a Churchill defender
Jacob Rider is pressured by a Churchill defender
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Ed Wright

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