Girls Soccer: Livonia Stevenson Falls to Northville Mustangs

The Northville Mustangs beat the Livonia Stevenson Spartans 3-2 Thursday night.

"Stevenson was a very determined and feisty bunch tonight. They put us back on our heels for a while. I really liked how we handled the adversity and found a way to win. There was no panic in our play tonight. We stayed composed. The win sets up a rematch with a great Plymouth team. This will give us an opportunity to see just how ready we are for the playoffs," said Northville coach Eric Brucker.

Northville goes undefeated in division play. Early in the game sophomore Megan Buckingham dribbled through the Spartan midfield and fired a shot from 30 yards out the clipped the bottom of the crossbar as it went over the keeper's head, he said.

With less than a minute left in the first half, Livonia tied the score. The ball was played into Northville's defense from 40 yards out and a flick-header beat the Northville keeper, he said.

Seconds into the second half, the Mustangs retook the lead. Senior Claire McHugh played a short thru-ball to Senior Mallory Weber. After the keeper blocked the initial shot, Weber collected her own rebound and found the back of the net.

The Spartans tied the game for a second time, later in the second half. A cross from the right hand side found Livonia player Dayna Stevens' feet. She juked the Northville defender and hit a shot that deflected off the keepers hands and into the side netting.

At the 75-minute mark, Mallory Weber scored the game winner after receiving a pass for Sophomore Jamie Cheslik. Weber beat the last defender and shot far post past the helpless keeper. Junior Kiki Hilmer was in net for the Northville.  

Northville now moves to 14-0-4 (9-0-1 in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association Central Division) and Stevenson moves to 7-8-1.  

The Mustangs next play on Monday against Plymouth for the Kensington Conference Championship.