Northville High School Junior Varsity Soccer

On the last night of summer, Northville faced off against Salem High School at the NHS home field.

A beautiful night meant the spectators could enjoy the game without the blazing sun blinding them in the Northville stands.

The game started with Northville dominating the play, but failing to seize their chances. They continued to attack and it didn’t pay off until a hard, through ball was played deep into the Salem half, allowing Northville’s forward, Anthony Sourges to outrace the defense. He took a touch on the ball and closed in on substitute Salem goalie who could not stop Sourges as he tucked it in the corner of the net.

Northville continued the pressure and their hard work paid off with a corner kick that floated into the box. The ball bounced high off a defender’s head and once again, the team’s leading scorer Sourges was there to head the ball into the back of the net.

The first half finished off with a beautiful passing play down the left wing. Midfielder Josh Hamilton won the ball at the midfield line, carried it forward 20 yards and then fed a beautiful pass to the left side of the penalty box where forward Johnny Rodriguez sped toward the goal.

From deep within the box, Rodriguez played the ball hard across the 6 yard line where Jacob Zimmer received the ball with his back to the goal. He was surrounded by defenders, and facing the wrong way, Zimmer calmly back-heeled the ball into the net.

Northville held the 3-0 lead through the second half, with Grant Tyburski solid in defense meant that goalkeeper Patrick Wigent was rarely seriously tested.

Northville tried on a number of occasions to feed the ball through to Sourges to complete his hat-trick, but he had to be content with his two goals from the game.

The win takes Northville to a record of 7-2-2, with 23 points and leaves them in a fierce neck-and-neck struggle with Canton, who has a record of 8-2-1, with 26 points.

Next week Northville face perennial rivals Novi on Tuesday.

Written by: Cormac Wright