NAPOLEON, MI. — The Pirates of Napoleon played host to the Michigan Center Cardinals Friday, and in a very hard-fought game, the Cardinals were able to hold on for a 4-2 victory.
The Pirates started with the ball, but the Cardinals kept the ball in the Pirates’ zone and were able to score within the first few minutes of the game as Mayrese Vieau was able to get the ball past Pirate goalkeeper Alessia Romagnuolo. But the lead didn’t last long, though, as Meghan Smith scored with a solid long kick off the Cardinals’ right side of the goalkeeper.
The Cardinals took a 2-1 lead at about the 17-minute mark, when Neveah Moyer scored a long-range goal. The Cardinals had more opportunities to take a bigger lead, but the Pirates’ defense stood solid, even stopping a free kick.
After the halftime, the Cardinals were able to score just a little over 3 minutes into the half as Kiah Nichols was able to get it past Romagnuolo. But the Pirates didn’t give up or roll over; they toughened up and were able to get several shots on the Cardinals’ goal.
Late in the game, with about 15 minutes left, the Cardinals increased their lead to 4-1 as McKynley Gaddy scored. But the Pirates fought back.
With less than 8 minutes to go, Kate Van Wagnen made an excellent heads-up play and was able to blast a shot past the Cardinals’ goalkeeper for a huge goal. The Pirates turned up the heat and got great passing and shots from Smith, Lily Eagan, Marisa Stark, and Brittany Doughty, but none made it in for a score, giving the Cardinals the big victory.
Napoleon (3-7-1) will travel to Manchester (8-1-2) Monday evening for a 7 P.M. game at Alumni Memorial Soccer Field.
