The Saline Reporter
A Heritage Newspaper
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Saline grabs big wins in overtime
Hornets play three sudden-death games in a week, win two
By Brian Cox, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: April 17, 2008
The Saline girls' varsity water polo team experienced sudden death three times in the past week, but only died once, in part thanks to sophomore Allie Littlejohn's resuscitative powers.
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The Hornets (7-3) beat Birmingham Seaholm 8-7 April 9 when Littlejohn scored her third goal of the game three minutes into sudden death.
"It was a real statement for us that we were able to keep fighting and not get down, even though we were losing," said coach Brad Silverman.
The dramatic ending was set up by earlier dramatics when senior Kristen Kotlarczyk tied the game at 6-6 with only 12 seconds left in regulation.
In the six-minute overtime, Seaholm went up 7-6, but Littlejohn portended her game-winning goal with her second score of the game to force sudden death.
"It was definitely one of the more memorable wins we've had since I've been here," Silverman said.
Three days later, the Hornets experienced their second sudden death match when they fell 7-6 to Pioneer at the Pioneer High School New Player tournament.
The Hornets came back to defeat another Pioneer team 8-5 before suffering a 1-goal loss to Seaholm.
"It was a good opportunity for our new players to get some tournament experience," Silverman said.
On Tuesday, Saline pulled out another sudden-death victory with a 7-6 win over Troy Athens.
Saline led 4-1 at the half.
Leading the offense were Lea Allen and Carly Haller, each with two goals. Haller's second shot came two minutes into overtime to secure the win.
Goalie Sam Crichton had 15 saves.
The trio of games determined by sudden death was "mentally and physically exhausting," Silverman said.
"Water polo is a unique sport, but for three games to go to sudden death is rare," he said. "If we don't have to play any more sudden deaths, I think that'll be OKor us."
Silverman believes his team's recent rash of sudden death games will instill greater confidence in the players.
"We're able to say we have some experience in high-pressure situations, where one mistake can be fatal," he said. "There's always something you can take away from games like that."
The day following the first sudden-death win against Seaholm, the Hornets fell 7-6 to Grand Blanc in overtime after leading 6-3 at the half.
"It was a disappointment because we gradually let the lead slip away," said Silverman, adding he believed fatigue had something to do with the loss.
"But it really showed us how important doing the little things is," he said. "You can't take any plays off and you can't take any team lightly."
Crichton had 20 saves in the game.
"We've really been able to rely on Sam this season," Silverman said, praising her effort. "Knowing we have a strong presence in goal allows us to take a few more risks."
The Hornets compete Saturday at the Birmingham Groves Invitational.
Staff Writer Brian Cox can be reached at 429-7380 or bcox@heritage.com.
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