The Milan News-Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
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Milan falls to Grosse Ile 5-1
Big Reds go 1-1-1 at Monroe Invitational after tough loss
By Brian Cox, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: May 1, 2008
All is not forsaken following the Milan girls' varsity soccer team's 5-1 loss to league nemesis Grosse Ile on Friday, but the path to an elusive Huron League title did get a whole lot steeper.
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The Big Reds must now run the table in league contests to position themselves for a rematch at home against the Red Devils May 21.
"We've got to win everything," said coach Russ Billau. "We can't afford a bad game."
The two undefeated teams entered halftime knotted 1-1 after Allison Sell tied it up off a corner kick from Sarah Towler.
The Red Devils took a 2-1 lead off a direct kick after Milan's ace defender Stephanie Roe received a controversial yellow card.
Seizing the momentum, Grosse Ile (6-0 league) racked up three more goals to put the game away.
"It was a good game until late in the second half," Billau said. "We played even with them for two-thirds of the game, but then we let them get to us."
The Big Reds set the stage for the dramatic showdown after taking down New Boston Huron 3-1 April 23.
Against the Chiefs, senior forward Jessica Young had two goals and senior midfielder Sarah Towler had one. Senior Meghan Donahue in goal had nine saves. Junior forward Sarah Thomas had an assist.
"We played really good soccer, pretty much held possession all the time," Billau said of the pivotal win.
The Big Reds had little time to recover from the disappointing loss to Grosse Ile Friday night. They boarded a bus at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday to participate in the Monroe Invitational.
Billau said he was concerned his team might be drained, physically and emotionally.
"I wasn't sure what they had left in them," he said. "It's really tough taking that loss on Friday and then come back the next day on weary legs."
Billau thought his fears might be confirmed when Milan fell behind 2-0 early in the tournament's opener against Woodhaven, but at halftime he posed a simple question.
"I asked them if they wanted to fight or go home," Billau said.
The Big Reds chose to fight.
In the second half, Towler scored to shrink Woodhaven's lead to 2-1. They could not, however, come up with a shot to tie the score and suffered the loss.
But Billau found renewed confidence in the Big Reds' revival.
In the second match, Milan battled an undefeated Monroe to a 0-0 standoff. Goalie Meghan Donahue made eight saves.
"She was outstanding," Billau said. "She made three of the best saves I've ever seen her make."
Milan went on to easily defeat Carlson Airport 3-2.
Young scored and freshman LeAnn Reiser scored twice.
The Big Reds are now 5-1 in the Huron League and 6-3-2 overall heading into home games against Jefferson on Wednesday and Riverview on Friday.
Each league match now is a stepping stone to Milan's second shot at Grosse Ile May 21.
"I know we'll be ready for (Grosse Ile)," Billau said. "It's just a matter of the girls deciding they want to win."
Staff Writer Brian Cox can be reached at 429-7380 or bcox@heritage.com.
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