By Greg Gielczyk
LocalSportsJournal.com
MANISTEE – Frigid temperatures and a tight schedule is part of the challenge spring sports seasons bring to area varsity teams.
Manistee did not let the elements of its early season slow it down on Thursday. The Mariners topped Reed City in a 3-1 non-conference win at home.
Battling near freezing temperatures while playing its second game in two days, it was natural for Manistee to have a slow start. The Mariners trailed 1-0 at halftime but produced three unanswered goals in the second half to rally the win in their home debut.
Perhaps it was the fatigue often associated with playing back-to-back games, or the added adversity of the weather, but the Mariners came out flat and struggled to get their act together.
“We talked about it in the locker room before coming out, ‘Let’s not be flat footed, let’s not be sluggish,’” said Manistee Coach Kathy Smith. “And, we were kind of not moving well at all in the first half. We really did a lot of watching. So, we just challenged them at halftime and they responded super well.
“Our defensive line was stepping to the ball, and being more physical. We were making more opportunities off the ball, finding each other, trying to possess more.”
Reed City scored its lone goal eight minutes into the first half, but senior goalkeeper Piper Eskridge made several outstanding saves to keep the score 1-0 at the break.
“Piper has had some huge moments, and I think in each half she just really had some great saves,” said Smith.
“Even a couple where she came out when they (the Coyotes) kind of had a breakaway.
“She might not have had the save because (the defense) kicked it over, but her angle and coming influenced what they did with the ball.”
Despite those flaws in their game, the Mariners still hung tough on defense, with the senior goalkeeper coming up with some big saves.
The score remained tied until the Mariners broke through for the equalizer with just under 15 minutes left in the second half.
Senior forward Alyana Edmondson busted loose on a breakaway up the left wing, cut it back and zipped a right-footed shot to the far post for an unassisted goal.
It was all Manistee the rest of the way, with senior Kate Somsel burying back-to-back goals down the stretch.
Somsel’s first tally, coming off an assist from Gabby Senters, gave the Mariners a 2-1 lead with just over nine minutes remaining.
Somsel scored again about six minutes later, with Edmondson on the assist.
“Kate does a good job of seeing the field, and seeing the runs … kind of a little bit of that point guard mentality,” Smith said.
“I think that really helps, and she got involved quite a bit in the attack, which is awesome.”
Manistee defeated the Traverse City Home School Bulldogs in Traverse City on Wednesday night in what the MHSAA considered a scrimmage since it does not recognize the Bulldogs as a sponsored athletic team.
The Mariners are back in action Saturday with a non-conference match at Buckley.
