Rivals Battle for the First Time in 2012 Season

With all families just becoming used to the rituals of the first days of school, the Northville JV soccer team took the field against their arch-nemesis, Novi High school.

The Novi team, with a relatively strong start to the season of 2 wins, 1 loss and 1 tie, entered the field to the warmth of a muggy evening @ Northville High School.

The beginning of the game proceeded with each team testing out their opponents’ defensive abilities. The Northville team spent less time with speculative shots, and tried to work the ball with measured passes into the box.

The Novi stellar defense denied each Northville approach.

Northville’s minimally stronger record of 2 wins, 2 ties and one loss, held true as the game progesses.

The difference was revealed when speedy Northville forward, Anthony Sourges, pounced on a ball that was bouncing erratically, and ran determinedly towards the Novi goal. There was nothing that Novi goalie, Jake Geary, could do as Sourges calmly side-footed the shot into the net.

Northville Coach, Mike Presley, made his substitutions to solidify the midfield and the team held on for a 1-0 team at half time.

The second half started with Novi pushing hard. The initial forays towards the Northville goal resulted in one speculative shot, or was it a cross,  launched towards Northville goalie, Patrick Wigent. The ball floated above Wigent’s head and bounced directly off the base of the Northville goal post, only to be cleared by the defense.

Many heavy sighs of relief were heard from the Northville parents and supporters!

From that point on, Northville fought hard, but the majority of possession was in the middle of the field.

Numerous Northville breakaways did not result in another goal, and Novi’s spirit was slowly sapping.

Within the last 30 seconds, midfielder Iggy Wright took a pass from the air on the right sideline. Novi’s pressure up front meant that Wright took the ball unencumbered into the penalty box. He unleashed a shot that arched over the Novi bar, but used up the remaining time on the clock, ensuring the win for Northville.

The win takes Northville to a record of 3 wins, 2 ties and one loss, presently standing 2 points behind Canton with still an enormous 11 games to be played.

Northville takes their winning streak to Walled Lake for a Saturday showdown.

The Northville/Novi rivarly continues next week Sept 13 at Northville High.

Submitted by Cormac Wright