By Greg Gielczyk
TRAVERSE CITY — Just 24 hours after dropping a heartbreaking 2-1 game to Boyne City at home, the Grayling girls soccer team traveled to Traverse City for a game with the Traverse City Home School Bulldogs on Tuesday.
Unfortunately, the Vikings came into the game with several players out with injuries, including their starting goalie and the Bulldogs eventually pulled away for a 7-3 win.
“I had to maneuver a few people around in different positions,” said Vikings head coach Craig Cobb. “Because of the aggressive play and tough game that we had on Monday, I would say we just came out a little flat footed.
“The Bulldogs put one us pretty early, but we responded to even it up. They scored again, and we evened it up again at 2-2. Then we went ahead 3-2.
“In the second half just sore legs and exhaustion kind of made things fall apart for us.”
Odden scored two goals for the Vikings, and freshman Ruby Stirling notched the other.
The Vikings had sophomore Shelby Swander in goal replacing the injured Kuziel. She finished the game with five saves.
Against the Ramblers on Monday, the Vikings gave their most united team effort this season according to head coach Craig Cobb.
The Vikings took a 1-0 lead on the Ramblers and held it until they were called for a penality in the final 20 minutes of the game, and the Ramblers scored on the penalty kick to even the score.
Grayling’s goalie was injured on the play and left the game. The Ramblers took advantage of the situation, and pushed forward with an aggressive attack that netted the game-winner.
“I was very happy with our girls,” said Cobb. “We played great defense, both in our midfield and our regular defense. The result was it allowed us to take advantage of the opporunity that we had.”
Sophomore goalie Emma Kuziel had an outstanding game in net for the Vikings, finishing the game with 19 saves before going down with the injury.
Lillian Odden scored the Vikings goal with an assist from Edith Boik on a free kick, which she popped in over the Ramblers’ defensive line and drew the keeper out.
