MONROE – Molly and Emma Walline are sisters.
They grew up under the same roof, but have different addresses on the soccer field.
Molly posted two goals and an assist to pace the offense and Emma led a defense that allowed just three shots on goal during a 4-0 win over St. Mary Catholic Central in the Huron League round-robin on Wednesday, May 6.
“They are a great duo,” Milan coach Phil Hayes said of the Walline sisters.
Very different approaches to the game make them a great duo.
“They’ve always been opposites,” Hayes said. “One is more aggressive on the defensive end and the other is more aggressive on offense.”
Abbi Neuhart and Ellie Budd both notched a goal and an assist.
Charlotte Finch also played strong defense in front of goalkeeper Olivia Parker.
Milan, which suffered heavy graduation loses after last season, pushed its record to 5-3-2.
“We replaced a lot of girls,” Hayes said. “We doing a lot of new things and trying out new people.”
He believes his team is rounding into shape with the state tournament set to begin on May 20.
“This definitely boosts their confidence,” Hayes aid. “They’re seeing that the things we do in practice work. … Slow and steady wins the race. I feel like we are ready (for the state tournament).”
Heidi Cousino was strong in goal and Quinn Harrington, Nora Kinsey and Olivia Horning played well for SMCC.
“Credit to Milan, they are always an extremely classy program, and their coaching staff does a tremendous job,” SMCC coach Laura Perry said. “We held them to 1-0 earlier in the season, and you can absolutely see how much they have continued to improve and raise the pace of play as the year has gone on.”
WEDNESDAY’S TOP PERFORMERS
BASEBALL
Dalen Cosby and Landon Loveland, Monroe: Each gave up just one run in a 4-1, 3-1 sweep of Bedford. The Trojans gave up seven runs in dropping a single game to the Mules on Monday. Loveland tossed a 5-hit complete game in the opener, then Cosby give up just one hit in the nightcap before Jaydin Hopper come on for the final out. Landin Wells went 2-for-3 to lead the offense in the first game. Asher Simmons had two hits, including a double, and Carson Liedel homered in the second game. Keagan Dixon went 2-for-2 in the first game for Bedford.
Lukas Linzell, SMCC: Delivered a walk-off single in the eighth inning to give the Falcons an 8-7 victory over New Boston, the No. 1-ranked team in Division 2. Grant Potcova drove in two runs and fellow freshman Zeke Boggs earned the win in relief of Cameron Cole. “This was a great win for our program,” SMCC coach Jared Janssen said. “We were able to do enough little things right to earn the win. Our kids are starting to believe in themselves and each other.” Cash Moczdlowsky and Aiden Sainato collected two hits each for Huron.
Jordan Godfrey, Flat Rock: Twirled a shutout, logged two hits and drove in three runs during an 8-0 victory over Milan. Evan Szalay went 3-for-3 for the Rams. Milan’s Ryan Hatfield went 2-for-3.
Hunter Barton, Jefferson: Fired a shutout and Grady Brooks went 3-for-3 in a 3-0 conquest of Riverview. Jake Brewer drove in two runs.
Reece Kalb, Summerfield: Tossed a 1-hit shutout with 11 strikeouts and no walks in the first game and logged a pair of hits in the second to lead the 9-3 Bulldogs to a 15-0, 7-2 sweep of Erie Mason. Trent Miller and Jude Flowers logged two hits each in the opener and Russell LaRocca matched that in the second game where Josh Horak and Rylee Schiffler combined for 15 strikeouts. Anderson Moore and TJ Langenderfer had two hits apiece in the second game for Mason.
Tre Eitniear and Zayne Emch, Whiteford: Finished with four hits each during an 18-1, 14-2 sweep of Britton Deerfield. Sammy Miller added a trio of hits with Emch and Austin Bauman earning pitching wins for the 14-4 Bobcats.
PREP SOCCER
Defenses for Flat Rock and Jefferson-Erie Mason: Neither allowed a goal as the teams played to a 0-0 tie in a Huron League round-robin game.
GIRLS TENNIS
Morgan Wort and Maggie Samford, Gibraltar Carlson: Led a sweep of doubles with a win at No. 1 as the Marauders slipped past Trenton to improve to 8-1. Gabby Peer-Riley Graham, Mena Sladich-Maddy Mead and Sophia Gaynier-Molly Owen also were doubles winners and Monica Stienmetz recorded a singles victory.
PREP SOFTBALL
Mya Smithson, Bedford: Homered twice, doubled, drove in six runs and went 5-for-10 in a doubleheader against Pinckney. The Mules won the opener 14-5. The second game was halted after nine innings with the score tied 6-6. Kaitlyn Kwiatkowski recorded two hits in each game. Winning pitcher Paige Bock registered four hits and Sophia Steinman three in the first game.
Hayden Iott, Summerfield: Rang up three hits in each game of a 9-4, 9-8 sweep of Dundee. Mia Samples drove in four runs in the second game. Hayley Kohls and Makenzie Wolfe had two hits apiece in the first game. “Proud of this group for setting the tone early and responding the right way,” Summerfield coach Christine Zappone said.
Addison Skinner, Gibraltar Carlson: Scattered four hits and stuck out seven in a 3-1 triumph over Wyandotte Roosevelt. The offense was led by Emily Konkus, Kennedy Warren and Averie Gendron with two hits each.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Monroe County Region high school sports roundup for Wednesday, May 6
Reporting by Niles Kruger, The Monroe News / The Monroe News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
