STANDISH – Millington’s Vanessa Selich scored two goals as the Cardinals tied Standish-Sterling 4-4 on Wednesday. Selich scored twice in the first half as Millington (1-3-1) came back from a two-goal deficit to take a 3-2 halftime lead. But the Panthers (2-3-1) responded with two second half goals, including the game-tying goal with just under fifteen minutes left to play, and then held off a late Cardinal offensive push to preserve the tie.
“We came a little flat, and it cost us early in the game,” Millington coach Andrew Selich said. “We knew Standish had one player that could score, and she burned us twice in the first ten minutes of the game. But we calmed down after that and fought back to take the lead.”
Standish took an early lead with goals at the 35:36 mark and another at the 31:51 mark, both scored by the same player, giving her team a 2-0 lead. Millington’s Sarah Simpson got the Cardinals on the board with 31:06 left in the first half on a breakaway goal to cut into the Panthers advantage.
Vanessa Selich then scored the next two goals for Millington, the first coming with 11:15 left in the first half on a centering pass from Danielle Kociba. Selich then added her second goal of the game with 6:15 left before the break when she buried a shot that was misplayed in the box by the Standish keeper. Selich’s goals gave the Cardinals a one-goal lead headed into halftime.
Standish tied the game at 3-3 with another goal just under a minute and half after the break. Kociba gave the Cardinals a 4-3 lead on a breakaway goal with 28:05 left to play in the game. Standish got the equalizer with 14:41 left in the game and despite an offensive flurry late in the game by Millington, the game would remain tied at the final buzzer.
Millington’s Rebekah Williams contributed three assists for the Cardinals, while also leading the defense with 8 steals and 31 blocks. Arial Lansford had 17 blocks, while Emma Hoard (13 blocks), Olivia Williams (5 steals, 12 blocks), and Kierrah Butterfield (11 blocks) also aided the Cardinal defense. GK Hannah Bees finished with seven saves.
“I’m proud of the way we fought back from the early deficit,” Millington coach Andrew Selich said. “We never gave up and fought right to the end.”
Millington’s next game is Friday, April 26, when they play host to their neighbors from the south, the LakeVille Falcons. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30pm.
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