Howland outlasts Salem in 1-0 duel
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HOWLAND -- For most of Monday's 80-minute match between Howland and visiting Salem, the score remained even despite the ball consistently being controlled by the Tigers.
However, shortly after the Quakers took the edge in possession, Howland's Madison Schmitz finally broke through the Salem defense and scored the first and only goal of the night to give her team the 1-0 home win.
"We knew it was gonna be a tough game 'cause we beat them at the Cardinal Classic, so we knew they were gonna come out tough," Tigers coach Mandie Washington said. "Our girls had to keep the mentality of pushing offensively the whole time. I think they applied that well within the second half, and that's how we ended up with our goal."
The Quakers managed to test Howland goalkeeper Kaiden Fox in the opening 10 minutes with a pair of shots on goal by Ava Lee, although Fox saved both and would have to wait some time before seeing more action.
In the meantime, the Tigers dominated the ball, shortening Salem's possessions with an active and efficient backline and midfield. This led to multiple shots on goal, including an early shot off the crossbar and a Markella Gentis one-on-one, as Layla Hewitt was forced to stay busy in the Quakers' net.
The second half proved even more eventful for Hewitt and the Salem defense, as Howland opened the period with attacks that yielded a pair of corner kicks within the first four minutes.
"After Chaya Murray threatened with a one-on-one that was thwarted by Fox, the Tigers returned to dominating possession, and nearly took the lead when Schmitz chased down the ball in the attacking third. Schmitz's shot found the right post, though, and her rebound attempt went high for a goal kick.
With about 15 minutes remaining in the match, Salem seemingly settled into a groove and forced several takeaways and pushed deeper upfield toward the Howland net.
However, the momentum of the game instantly flipped back in the Tigers' favor nearly 71 minutes in, when Schmitz, who had success pressing all night, took the ball deep into the Salem third and buried a shot in the net.
"We bit on a move, and she got around the girls and found the back of the net." Salem coach Greg Davis said.
Thirty seconds later, she nearly did it again, but her second shot slid on the turf across the goal and out.
Fortunately for her and Howland, Salem could not muster a last-minute push, and instead suffered a second consecutive 1-0 defeat.
The Quakers (2-3) are not scheduled to play another game until next Monday, when they visit Boardman.
"It was a tough match. Very evenly played, I felt. They got one late. Other than that, I thought we played really well," Davis said.
"Sitting at 2-3 now, it hasn't been bad. Definitely could be better. Moving forward, we've got to work on slowing down, collecting the ball, finding feet and just controlling the pace of the game a little more."
Howland (2-1) has shut out its last two opponents after suffering a 6-0 defeat vs. Poland in the season opener, which was also Washington's first game as the coach. The Tigers host West Branch on Wednesday.
"I think it's especially different this year because we're looking at a transition year, new coaching staff, new coaches, and we're playing a new formation," Washington said. "A lot of the girls are in different positions they haven't been in before. So that's something we're looking forward to working on even harder throughout the season.
"[I've learned] that each one of these girls individually has a lot of heart," she added. "It's our jobs as coaches to be able to allow them to apply that in a game in a strategic manner and fashion."