The Saline Reporter
A Heritage Newspaper
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Hornets open with 0-0 draw vs. Pioneer
Freezing temperatures end season opener early
By Jerry Hinnen, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: April 3, 2008
The Saline girls' soccer team is still waiting to play its first full 80 minutes of soccer of the 2008 season. But they've got their first result regardless.
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The Hornets' weather-plagued season-opener on the road at rival Ann Arbor Pioneer March 27 finished as a 0-0 draw after just 62 minutes, when coaches on both sides agreed the field had become unplayable due to snowfall and freezing temperatures.
"The field was frozen. It was too dangerous for the players to keep playing," Saline head coach Dave Tapping said. "Our players weren't happy at first, but after we explained that things had just deteriorated to the point where we felt they weren't safe, they were fine with it."
Despite the frustration of the field conditions and having to call the game before its conclusion — even in a game as important to the Hornets as one against the Pioneers — Tapping was pleased at the game's end.
"We were very happy with how we played," he said. "We controlled the areas we wanted to control, we had some nice runs out of midfield and created some good early opportunities and shots on goal. Overall, we were satisfied."
Even his players, Tapping said, were happy for the opportunity just to take the field after having their initial game against Ann Arbor Huron the previous March 25 postponed and several days of indoors practice caused by the severe winter.
"It was good to get outside and compete after being inside for three or four days," he said. "They just wanted to get out and play. They got a solid half in before things became unmanageable."
Saline was able to force a number of first-half corner kicks, giving senior forward Jena Cooper and junior Lauren Birdsong each a chance to put the Hornets out in front.
Pioneer escaped those opportunities but struggled to create their own, thanks to a stout Hornet defensive performance helped by the efforts of wing midfielders Kellie Stepaniak, Kacy Hartman and Patti Vaassen.
"They did a great job of tracking back for us," Tapping said. "Defensively, I thought we were very solid."
In the end, Hornet goalkeeper Hannah Ulrich was able to claim the shutout in her first start for the Saline varsity.
Saline is now enjoying a week off for spring break, but Tapping is confident his team will be ready to grab its first win when the Hornets return to the field at home April 8 against Dearborn Edsel Ford.
"We're not too worried about the X's and O's," Tapping said. "They're all such experienced players, they can just go out and play their game ... They're ready to prove to themselves and everybody else how good they really are."
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