Northville High School Junior Varsity Soccer

On a bitterly cold night that showed the resilience and fortitude of all the parents sitting and shivering in the stands,  Northville High School JV soccer team faced off in their last game of the season against Hartland.

The bitter wind had an effect as Hartland’s goal kicks would be blown back from the half way line providing Northville with opportunities to put pressure on the Hartland goal.

If ever anyone was in denial of the spirit of Captain James. T. Kirk of Star Trek’s USS Enterprise, the first half of this game would have the entire Northville team arguing with the fact. With every Northville attack, every shot, every cross, the invisible force field surrounding the Hartland goal protected their shutout.

All Northville’s attackers popped shots that strayed wide, flew inches over the crossbar, rebounded off the upright, ricocheted off the defenders to another attacker, only to be squibbed wide.

The half ended with only a handful of Hartland attempts crossing into Northville’s half of the field, but the score remained nil – nil.

With the last half of play for the 2012 season starting, Northville came out with a renewed sense of purpose.

Some nice control in midfield, inspired by Alec Morgan, Eric Bochert, and probing runs by Jake Reitzloff kept Hartland under pressure. The breakthrough finally came when Alec Morgan carried the ball into the Hartland box, and shot the ball toward the empty net. It heartbreaking looked like it was falling short, but a heads-up run by Matthew Mitchell gave him the opportunity to tap into the empty net.

This was followed up quickly with an inspired run by Jake Reitzloff avoiding three Hartland defenders, he laid the ball off to the left side of the penalty box perfectly in the stride of Johnny Rodriguez who blazed the ball off the upright into the opposite corner.

From there on, Northville commanded the possession.  There were further close calls by Kevin Yu and Garret Weaver until Anthony Sourges tapped in after a determined run by Grant “G-Money” Tyburski .

Hartland managed one solid attack that had Northville’s athletic goalie, Patrick Wigent, flying through the air to punch it wide, providing a marvelous photo opportunity.

A fourth goal was added for Northville and with them in full control, forward Sourges swapped position with sweeper Tyburski and the whole team worked feverously to get the ball for him to score.

All the parents were entertained by G’s solid, determined attacks on Hartland’s goal but every attempt was heartbreakingly close, but no cigar.

To coach Mike Presley credit, the win takes Northville to an impressive season record of 11-3-3 with 36 points with 49 goals for and only 11 against.

Written By Cormac Wright