Not that the Dexter field hockey team needed a boost in confidence, but the Dreadnaughts proved they could come back against one of the top teams in the state on Monday after an impressive 3-2 win over visiting Saline in a battle of top-seeded teams.
Dexter, the fourth ranked team in the Midwest/West and top-seeded team in Michigan, remained undefeated after scoring two second-half goals to rally from a 2-1 halftime deficit.
“We learned a lot about playing from behind and overcoming adversity,” said Dexter Coach Trish Machemer. “We played a little on our heels after we fell behind and it took us awhile before we started believing in ourselves. Once we did though, the confidence was back and we stopped thinking about doing it and just did it.”
The Dreadnaughts improve to 11-0-2 on the season.
SEE 100 PHOTOS IN WLD PHOTO GALLERY
Dexter got on the board first when Abigail Tamer hit a rocket from about 10 yards out that the Saline goalie had no chance of even reacting to. By the time she saw it, it was behind her. Tamer’s unassisted goal made it 1-0 with 24:27 still left in the first half.
Dexter certainly dominated the first 10 minutes of the game, keeping control most of the time on the Saline side of the field.
But the Hornets started buzzing and evened the game at 1-1 less than 3 minutes later during their first real pressure of the game.
Saline then took a 2-1 lead with 17:38 left in the half.
SEE 100 PHOTOS IN WLD PHOTO GALLERY
Both teams had some chances but neither team scored again in the first half.
With 11 minutes left in the game, Tamer tied the score at 2-2 off a direct corner.
With 4:30 left in the game, Tamer took a shot that Kylee Niswonger tipped in for the eventual game winner.
The Dreadnaughts have another test on Monday when Pioneer comes to town for a 5:30 p.m. game.
SEE 100 PHOTOS IN WLD PHOTO GALLERY
