BY DAN STICKRADT
Communications Specialist | Web And Content Editor | Director of News |
Social Media Director | Interns and Freelance Coordinator
PH: (248) 884-1051
TW: @LocalSportsFans @MiSoccerNetwork
TRENTON, Mich. – Trenton waited nearly 10 months to face Grosse Pointe North again on the soccer pitch.
The Trojans got their chance at revenge on the Norsemen and walked away with a 2-0 non-conference victory Friday.
In last year’s Division 2 regional finals, Grosse Pointe North escaped with a 1-0 victory over Trenton.
Not this time.
The Trojans scored a goal in each half and tightened the grip defensively on North to continue its fast start to the 2024 campaign.
“They got us last year on a late penalty (kick). They said it was a handball in the box,” recalled Trenton coach Michael Hatfield. “We played well in that game but we were unlucky. We had like four goals called back in that game. That was frustrating, but that is soccer.”
Although not at the magnitude of an Elite Eight clash in the Division 2 state tournament, Friday’s non-league affair issued some reassurance to Trenton’s players that they are very much a quality side. In fact, the Trojans have now outscored the opposition 33-4 on the year – and two of those goals allowed came in the shootout tiebreaker in a pair of losses at the Marshall Sportsfest April 13.
The win was the seventh shutout for senior goalkeeper Leila Gorno, who had to only register three saves on the night. In front of her the Trojans’ backline was stellar once again, conceding mostly long-distance shots wide or over the goal.
Downriver League Girls Soccer Team Capsules: www.michigansoccernetwork.com/post/downriver-league-girls-soccer-team-capsules-2024
Last season Trenton outscored its foes 58-11 with 11 shutouts, while this year only two non-league teams have even scored on the Trojans – DeWitt (2-1 shootout loss) and Marshall (2-1 shootout loss) – and both of those were tournament-shortened games of 30-minute halves on the same day.
Miya Severino, Lilly Mulford, Audrey Gerou and Elle Dolson again served up the winning defensive recipe for the Trojans’ back line.
“Our defense has been solid all season and it was again tonight,” smiled Hatfield. “All other results have been shutouts. They are very organized back there and don’t allow teams to create a lot of chances.”
It was the aforementioned Dolson who actually scored the game-winner Friday.
Pushed up just past midfield, Dolson scooped up a loose ball and lofted a high shot into the swirling wind that sailed just underneath the crossbar near the far post to put Trenton (7-2-0) on the board. With 27:51 still to play in the first half.
Although Trenton controlled play throughout much of the game, the Trojans would not net an insurance tally until there was 19:17 remaining in the contest. Senior and Easter Michigan-bound Claire Gonyea score her 12th goal of the campaign off a pass from junior running-mate Chloe Wishart. The duo has been involved in nearly 75 percent of the team’s goals this season.
“They are a great part of our offense. Other teams have to keep an eye on more than just one player,” noted Hatfield. “We will get Kate Haveman back soon, too. She’s been out with a minor injury. But she’s another one who helps us out. I think that’s one thing about this team is that a lot of girls can finish and they are unselfish. We have a lot of girls that have goals and assists already this year.”
North graduated multiple starters and reserves from last season’s Division 2 state championship team. Still, the Norsemen keep working hard despite their youth. The Grosse Pointe North roster features 13 freshmen, six sophomores, one junior and only six seniors.
Trenton posted a 16-10 overall shots edge, including 9-3 with shots on frame, but many of North’s chances came in a 10-minute span in the second half between the 60th and 70th minutes of the contest. The Norsemen had a trio of close-range free kicks and a cornerkick but senior midfielder Amelia Streberger misfired on those set pieces, while she hit the crossbar once off a first-half restart.
Senior Lea Paluzzi, who played mostly forward and was a backup keeper to Grace McCormick last season, played in goal Friday and collected seven saves for North (1-3-1), which has now been outscored 9-4 as the team continues to work in several varsity newcomers.
Macomb Area Conference-Red Division Girls Soccer Team Capsules: www.michigansoccernetwork.com/post/macomb-area-conference-red-division-girls-soccer-team-capsules-2024
(Have a story suggestion for the Premier Media Group and the Michigan Soccer Network regarding club soccer, high school varsity, amateur soccer, collegiate soccer or professional soccer of teams or players with Michigan ties, contact Communications Specialist/Web and Content Editor/Director of News Dan Stickradt via email at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com, or call 248-884-1051. Dan Stickradt is a 31-year veteran of the Michigan Media circles and recently joined the staff full time in March of 2024. Want to schedule a broadcast game or live show, contact PMG/MSN Director of Broadcasting Jonathan Turner for availability and pricing at jonathan@michigansoccernetwork.com.)
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