The Milan News-Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Big Reds roll past Onsted in opener
New defense pays dividends in 3-0 win
By Brian Cox, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: April 19, 2007
Onsted was put on its head by the Big Red defense last Friday in Milan's 3-0 season-opening win.
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Onsted came into the game with a 3-0 record, having scored nine goals, but Milan's new flat-four defense stymied and frustrated the Wildcats' offense, limiting them to only three shots at the net.
"Defensively we played outstanding," said Milan varsity girls' soccer coach Phil Zuber. ".(Onsted) were flat and confused and didn't know what to do against our defense. They're a good team, but they couldn't generate anything.
"It was everything we hoped for."
He praised the play of freshman Katy Hoevenmeyer, sophomore Allison Sell, and junior Stephanie Roe.
"[Hoevenmeyer] played outstanding and has been impressive from day one," Zuber said. He was pleased with the blend of skill and dominant physical presence that Sell and Roe brought, too. "They've been adept at learning the system," he said.
The impressive defensive effort allowed Milan's new goalie, Meghan Donahue, to get her feet wet in the net, but Zuber wouldn't have minded if she had been tested a little more.
"I would have liked to have seen a few more manageable shots to give her a chance to work the bugs out," he said, "but she looked comfortable back there and played like a pro."
After the commanding defensive performance, Zuber said he is confident his defense is five players deep, offering him greater flexibility in substitutions.
Offensively, despite three goals, Zuber noted some rust that he believes will wear off as the season progresses.
Jessica Young put Milan up eight minutes into the first period when her shot was mishandled by the Onsted goalie and allowed to scoot in.
Later in the period, Milan pulled ahead 2-0 off a Meredith Rizor goal. Young won the ball at the 40-yard line, creating a 2-on-1 and touched it to Rizor, who walked it in.
Stephanie Sell scored Milan's third goal in the second period on a 12-yard liner.
It is the first time in four years that the Big Reds have opened their season with a win. It's also the first time in those years that they haven't opened against Chelsea.
Milan opened Huron League play on the road Wednesday against Riverview. Zuber expected a tough test.
Riverview's Dana Stevens, who already has 11 goals this year, has been a thorn in Milan's side.
"We're going to focus a lot on her," said Zuber.
It will be up to Milan's defense to stop Stevens. And that is just fine with Zuber.
Milan's first home game is 4:30 p.m. Friday against Airport.
Staff Writer Brian Cox can be reached at 429-7380 or bcox@heritage.com.
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