It’s not a secret that the Seaholm Maples soccer team came into this season with high expectations. The Maples expected to play better and closer games against top competition in 2011, such as teams like Rochester Adams, who is a top 10 team in the state.
Seaholm didn’t disappoint against the Highlanders when they met on Saturday afternoon. The Maples drew a 1-1 tie.
“Adams has a very solid team,” senior midfielder and captain Jason Crick said. “We stepped up our game and got a well earned tie.”
At halftime, the score was still locked at a 0-0 tie. Adams came out in the 2nd half looking to pull ahead, and they did so by scoring a quick goal right away off of a redirected shot.
But that deficit didn’t last for long, as junior forward Tommy Bowman dribbled past two Adams defenders and fired a magnificent shot into the upper right corner of the goal with 15 minutes remaining on the clock.
The play of Bowman, who is second on the team with eight goals along with three assists, has been one of the many bright spots that the team has had this year.
“[Bowman] has provided some great games this year against some of the bigger teams and is playing extremely well right now not only with incredible distribution of the ball but scoring key goals as well,” head coach Ian Whitelaw said.
Bowman’s equalizer would prove to be the final score of the game, as the scoreboard stayed at 1-1 for the remainder of the game.
“We continue to prove ourselves in these games and believe we can play with anyone with a great team effort,” Whitelaw said about his team, whose record stands at 9-3-2 after the Adams tie. “I thought the game was an excellent soccer game to watch and think the fans got to see some great play from both sides the whole game.”
The Maples were satisfied with the draw given how tough of a team the Highlanders are, and coming off a disappointing 2-1 loss to Oxford a few days prior.
While being pleased with the tie, Crick thought the game could have resulted in a victory.
“We could have won the game if a couple bounces went our way, but I am very happy with the result,” Crick said.
Another positive note for Seaholm is knowing that they can contend with a powerhouse as strong as Adams. Seaholm has a chance of facing the Highlanders again when the district playoffs begin in two weeks. Adams is one of many strong teams that the Maples have to get by in order to win the district.
“Adams is in our district for the post season so we may get to play them again and it will be great for the guys knowing they can certainly play against any team in the county,” Whitelaw said.
The Maples have their final home game of the season this Wednesday, October 12 against Pontiac, where at halftime the seniors will be given a tribute for their last game at Maple Field.
The game is an important one for Seaholm as they continue their quest for the league title.
