MOUNT PLEASANT – It was a narrow win for the hustling Northern Michigan Christian girls of coach Jen VanNoord on the road Tuesday, May 5, but a satisfying one against tough league foe Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart.
A goal struck from the educated foot of the little cruise missile, Anna Cucinella, midway through the first half proved to be the difference in the outcome in the tense 1-0 victory.
The other “difference” in the match – as has been true all season – was the other-worldly play of amazing goalkeeper Harper Tossey. “Harps,” who marches to her own turn-away tune after donning the goalie uniform for the Comets, recorded 14 saves in this one – including a few remarkable “did that just really happen?” saves to preserve yet another shutout this season with capable help out front from super-reliable defenders Myra Yount and Mel Bennett, among others.
“Sacred Heart is a good team with a couple of very skilled players but once again, our defense stepped up and shut them down,” VanNoord reported. “Harps had several tremendous saves in the second half to hold them scoreless.”
At the other end, VanNoord was happy to see her young players becoming more organized in their attacks up front.
“I’m so proud of he improvements they make each week,” the veteran coach said.
“Thankful to finish one of our great scoring chances and come home with the win.”
It was Bryelle “Comet” Curnett who supplied the feed to Cucinella to earn the assist on the game’s lone goal.
ON THURSDAY, April 30, the Comets played to yet another scoreless tie against talented league foe Tawas.
Something is out of alignment in the universe if Harper Tossey does not get chosen for All-State with the incredible season she is having in the nets for the Comets. She added to her laurels in this one, turning away nine shots, including a few in the “Wow!” category.
“Harps” and the stout Comet defense, including veterans Mel Bennett and Myra Yount, have been playing at a stratosphere level all season.
VanNoord credited Harps and the defense with their phenomenal play and also liked some things she is seeing at the offensive end, though the numerous scoring chances that were created did not end up with a goal in this one.
NMC (3-2-5, 2-1-4) played at Algoma Christian on Thursday, May 7. The Comets are home Monday, May 11, against Roscommon and play Tuesday, May 12, at Houghton Lake.