Royals Late Surge Leads To Win

By defeating Washtenaw Christian 3-2 Friday, the Blissfield varsity girls’ soccer team won more games this week then it did all of last year.

Haley Neri and Caitlyn Meszaros scored five minutes apart late in the second half to lead Blissfield to the come from behind victory. Kenzy Speiser also scored for Blissfield.

The Royals were outshot 14-5. Goalie Cierra Sell turned aside 12 of 14 shots, including a great save to preserve the win in the game’s final seconds.

The two teams were scoreless after an evenly played first half. The Royals opened the scoring at the 27:59 mark of the first half. Senior captain Olivia Keinath ran in from the left side and fired a shot on the WCS goalie. The goalie couldn’t handle the shot and Speiser had all kinds of room to chip home the rebound for a 1-0 lead.

But WCS answered quickly. A minute later freshman Calli Osborne dribbled through the Blissfield defense and fired a shot over the leaping goalie. WCS continued to apply the pressure. Katherine Koller scored with 22:43 to play as WCS swarmed the Blissfield net. The Royals were suddenly on their heels for the next 12 minutes, rarely getting the ball over midfield and forcing Sell to make several big saves.

Finally, the Royals began to awaken from their slumber. Haley Neri picked up a loose ball near half and broke for the net, with several defenders chasing her. Neri dribbled to the net and fired a beauty from about 20 yards out. The goalie jumped and got her hands on the ball, but the ball bounced into the net and the Royals tied the game at 2.

With less than two minutes left, the speedy Emily Loar streaked down the right sight and was taken down. She was awarded a set piece from about 20 yards to the right of the net. She drove a kick into the crease, where Meszaros settled the ball and scored with a sliding finish.

“"We started out decently. We got-over excited and gave away the equalizer, then felt more pressure by letting another one through. Mistakes we made were capitalized upon.  Once we start punishing teams for mistakes, then you will really see an exciting team,” said coach Noel Moreno. “Meszaros and Keinath really drove us to the win, creating opportunities for Spieser and Emily Loar. Despite having the wind in our face, our mids figured out their timing with our forwards. That was the game winning factor.”

Neri’s goal was one for the highlight reel.

“Haley Neri always battles and produces. No matter how well she's played, or how frustrated or hurt she is, she comes through with something,” said Moreno, who also praised the work of Speiser, who now has four goals in five games. “Some luck plus finishing -- that's Kenzy.”

First-year player Sydney Buchanan played a big role as the Royals’ defense limited the chances of Washtenaw’s young goalie scorer, Callie Osborne.

Moreno was happy with the win, but said there is much room for improvement.

“Once this group start sputting together a full match, it will be a scary thing,” he said.