By Alex Hardie
Dexter played host to the Dearborn Heights Chargers last week and continued to add proof of why they are ranked No. 7 in the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 2 coaches poll.
The Dreadnaughts improved their record to 12-2-2 with a solid showing against their opponent. Early in the game the Chargers showed an aggressive style of play that caught the Dreads a little by surprise. Dexter, however, was quick to take advantage of their own aggressive attacking play when it forced a Crestwood defender to take down Dreadnaught forward Nicole Lucas in the penalty box.
With just under six minutes played, the ensuing penalty-kick was finished by Victoria Pepper. The Dreadnaughts continued to press the Chargers with wave after wave of attack. Nicole Luca struck a low cross into the box to an onrushing Lindsey Lloyd, who confidently redirected it into the back of the net.
With 2:37 left in the first half, the Dreadnaughts thoughts of taking a 2-0 into the half-time break were quashed. A Dread foul set up a free-kick from 25 yards out. As organized as the Dreads were to defend the kick, Leah Haydar fired a shot over the wall into the upper near post area of the goal, cutting the Dreadnaught lead.
Though the second half found the Chargers gaining more dangerous opportunities, they only had one that had a chance in going in, late in the game as the last seconds ticked off the clock. That one was blocked by a lunging Victoria Pepper. At games end, the score was 2-1.
“We controlled a majority of the first half and had decent chances along with good possession in the second. Yet it still could have been a tie game if it weren’t for the heroics of (Victoria) Pepper," coach Scott Forrester said. "All of our midfielders are unknowns. Victoria and Emily Tarnaski do all the grinding work, and Lindsey (Lloyd) could be an effective forward scoring more goals, but they, doing what they do in the midfield has had a direct impact in this team’s success.”
The Dreadnaughts have senior soccer night Wednesday, when they play host to the Maples of Adrian at Al Ritt Stadium. Kick-off for the junior varsity team is 5:30 p.m. and the varsity game will begin roughly 15 minutes after the end of the junior varsity match. The seniors will be honored prior to the varsity match at 7 p.m.
