News

Oct 22, 2023

Dow edges TCW in district grudge match

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Dow High's Alaina

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

Dow High's Alaina Schalk plays the ball in the air during Thursday's district quarterfinal against Traverse City West, May 25, 2023.

Dow High's Alaina Schalk receives a hug from teammate Mallory Brandt (8) after scoring a goal during Thursday's district quarterfinal against Traverse City West, May 25, 2023.

Dow High's Melanie Kolnitys plays the ball ahead during Thursday's district quarterfinal against Traverse City West, May 25, 2023.

Dow High's Emily Lacher clears the ball during Thursday's district quarterfinal against Traverse City West, May 25, 2023.

Dow High's Alaina Schalk heads the ball during Thursday's district quarterfinal against Traverse City West, May 25, 2023.

Dow High's Lindsay Hart plays the ball forward during Thursday's district quarterfinal against Traverse City West, May 25, 2023.

Dow High's Belle Beman jostles for position during Thursday's district quarterfinal against Traverse City West, May 25, 2023.

Dow High's Libby Avery passes to a teammate during Thursday's district quarterfinal against Traverse City West, May 25, 2023.

Dow High's players celebrate Alaina Schalk's second goal during Thursday's district quarterfinal against Traverse City West, May 25, 2023.

Dow High's Mallory Brandt plays the ball ahead during Thursday's district quarterfinal against Traverse City West, May 25, 2023.

Dow High's Sydney Lambert battles for possession during Thursday's district quarterfinal against Traverse City West, May 25, 2023.

Dow High's Melanie Kolnitys tracks the ball during Thursday's district quarterfinal against Traverse City West, May 25, 2023.

Dow High's Sydney Lambert looks over the defense during Thursday's district quarterfinal against Traverse City West, May 25, 2023.

Dow High's Ivy Beall races downfield during Thursday's district quarterfinal against Traverse City West, May 25, 2023.

Dow High's Reagan King battles for the ball during Thursday's district quarterfinal against Traverse City West, May 25, 2023.

Dow High's Libby Avery prepares to clear the ball during Thursday's district quarterfinal against Traverse City West, May 25, 2023.

Dow High's Ivy Beall works her way around a defender during Thursday's district quarterfinal against Traverse City West, May 25, 2023.

Dow High's Alaina Schalk goes airborne during Thursday's district quarterfinal against Traverse City West, May 25, 2023.

Dow High's Reagan King sends the ball upfield during Thursday's district quarterfinal against Traverse City West, May 25, 2023.

Dow High's players celebrate Alaina Schalk's first goal during Thursday's district quarterfinal against Traverse City West, May 25, 2023.

Dow High's Riley Schikorra fights through contact during Thursday's district quarterfinal against Traverse City West, May 25, 2023.

Dow High's Melanie Kolnitys looks to head upfield during Thursday's district quarterfinal against Traverse City West, May 25, 2023.

Dow High's Sydney Lambert gives chase during Thursday's district quarterfinal against Traverse City West, May 25, 2023.

Dow High's Lindsay Hart looks for a passing lane during Thursday's district quarterfinal against Traverse City West, May 25, 2023.

Dow High's Rachael Ieuter chases after the ball during Thursday's district quarterfinal against Traverse City West, May 25, 2023.

Alaina Schalk

When the chips are down, Dow High knows exactly who to turn to: seniors Alaina Schalk and Lindsay Hart. It's a combo that has come up big in big moments all season – and none have been bigger than Thursday's Division 1 girls’ soccer quarterfinal.

With Traverse City West leading the host Chargers 1-0, Hart connected with Schalk for a huge tying goal, and Schalk tallied again moments later to propel Dow to a satisfying 2-1 victory.

Thursday marked the third straight season in which Dow and TCW have met in district play, the previous two times coming in district finals. The Chargers beat the Titans in a 2021 final, while West returned the favor a year ago.

"We all wanted to get revenge on them for last year, because it kind of sucked in the final," Schalk admitted. "I think that's where all the hard work came from – just wanting to get that revenge."

Dow coach Spencer Sandow said that his team is developing a bit of a rivalry with the Titans.

"From the first moment I got to Dow … TC West and us have always had good battles. It always seems to be a one- or two-goal game," said Sandow, whose Chargers improve to 13-3-4 and will host Traverse City Central in a 6 p.m. semifinal on Tuesday.

"Meeting them for the third time in a row in the playoffs was fun, and it was nice that we were able to come out on top this year," he added.

Dow looked like the better, hungrier team from the outset, dominating possession throughout the game, particularly in the first 20 minutes, during which the Chargers got off five shots, earned three corner kicks, and got numerous nice crosses from Melanie Kolnitys deep in the TCW box.

Unfortunately for Dow, none of those opportunities amounted to anything, and the Titans eventually took advantage of their first and only quality scoring chance of the half.

On the only possession of the half in which West penetrated deep into Dow territory, Raegan LaCross launched a high, bending shot from 20 yards out which drifted just over Charger goalkeeper Jessica Erickson's fingertips and into the net for a 1-0 lead in the 27th minute.

TCW made that lead hold up entering the break.

Schalk said that the first half was "definitely frustrating."

"We dominated the whole time. We were the harder-working team, and we wanted it more. We just weren't finishing on our opportunities, and they happened to (finish) on their one that they got," she noted.

"At halftime, we just talked about how much we really needed this win and how we want to keep extending our season as much as possible," she added. "I think that's where the urgency (in the second half) came from."

Less than four minutes into the second half, that urgency paid off.

Hart served a perfect corner kick into a crowd in the box, and Schalk somehow got her head on it and sent it low past TCW keeper Gwen Allore to tie it and give the Chargers renewed energy.

"It's been good this year. Alaina's been good on set pieces, and Lindsay's been good delivering them to where it needs to be," Sandow said. "Teams know where it's going, but they still have a hard time defending it.

" … Alaina knows exactly where to go, and her playing with Lindsay on the travel circuit for so long really helps them have a good connection," he added.

Schalk agreed.

"We’ve been playing with each other for eight years now … and a lot of my goals this year have come off of her crosses and corners. I just think we connect really well on those," she said. "She just knows where to find me, and I know how to connect with those balls."

Only three minutes later, Schalk netted the eventual game-winner.

As the Titans attempted to clear the ball out of their third, Schalk stepped in, intercepted the ball, and fired a shot from the top of the box high to the left post for a 2-1 lead.

"We dominated possession pretty much from the first minute, and they kind of sat deeper (defensively)," Sandow noted. "Just the way that style of soccer goes, with them getting the first goal, it's always worrisome, because then they can stay in their defensive shape, and you start to panic a little bit.

"But we did what we needed to do (in the second half), which was the important thing," he added.

Although the Chargers continued to carry play for most of the remainder of the contest, West had a glorious opportunity to tie it late in the game.

In the 62nd minute, Onalee Gustafson got free with the ball for a breakaway attempt. Erickson, however, bolted off her line and met Gustafson at the point of attack. With Erickson bearing down on her, Gustafson managed to get off a hurried shot, but it trickled just wide left.

The Titans would not threaten again.

Dow finished with a 16-6 advantage in shots, including a 6-3 edge in shots on goal.

"Our defense did really well. Libby Avery, Piper Beall, Emily Lacher, Sydney Lambert, and Jess Erickson have done a good job this season of answering the call when other teams have pressured them," said Sandow.

"They did a good job tonight of limiting chances," he added. "We talk a lot as a team that we want to defend with pride, and if we can limit teams from scoring on us, we know that we have a good chance of winning."

Looking ahead to Tuesday's semifinal against TC Central (10-9-2), which beat Saginaw Heritage 2-1 in a Wednesday quarterfinal, Sandow seemed confident.

"They’re a solid side. I watched them play Heritage yesterday, and they have a couple of attacking players who are dangerous," he said. "They’re similar to TC West. I think they’ll be a little more defensive, so if we’re able to move the ball and take our chances in front of net, I think we’ll have a pretty good chance of winning that game."

Schalk said she would like to end her prep career with at least a district championship.

"It would feel great. I really don't want to end my senior year without that district title, especially after not getting it last year," she said. "I think it’ll feel great if we’re able to get that in my senior year."