TRAVERSE CITY — The days on the soccer field are winding to a close in Michigan.
Just two regular season weeks remain for girls soccer teams in the state and many are fighting for conference titles or strengthening their play for postseason action.
Petoskey appears out of the Big North Conference race with three league games remaining, so the challenge lately has been on better preparing themselves for district play.
They did so over the weekend with an annual Petoskey Invite, securing a 3-2 victory over Midland Dow, then they continued this week with a trip to Traverse City St. Francis, where a 2-2 tie came out of the meeting.
“Coming off tough competition this weekend, we have a few injuries and are looking to get everyone healthy for the postseason. Nonetheless, we had some great opportunities tonight,” Petoskey head coach John Lennon said.
Junior Mady Smith knocked in the first goal for Petoskey against the Glads, assisted by Hailey Wegmann, then Sofia Stabile tied things up in the second half, securing her first varsity goal in the process.
The draw was the first of the season for Petoskey, who moved to 7-4-1 overall. They’ll work on the BNC record and 6-3 third place standing ahead.
That first begins with a visit from Traverse City West on Thursday. A trip to Traverse City Central will also come on Tuesday, May 19, before Petoskey wraps the regular season on a visit from rival Gaylord on Thursday, May 21.
Petoskey also recently received its district opening assignment, with a trip to Marquette on deck on Tuesday, May 26 to begin Division 2 district play.
NORTHERN SHORES
Harbor Springs 7, Cheboygan 1
CHEBOYGAN — There have been a lot of quick nights within Northern Shores Conference action for the Harbor Springs girls soccer team this season.
Lilly Barnadyn made sure the Rams’ trip to Cheboygan came as another.
Barnadyn came through with four goals scored for Harbor Springs, scoring from throughout the field in the 7-1 victory.
“I’m proud that the girls are continuing to keep focus on the conference title, and if we win on Thursday night against Kingsley, it will be our second year in a row as conference champs,” Harbor Springs coach Aaron Riley said. “Cheboygan is a physical team and were not just going to roll over.”
Along with Barnadyn’s big game, Stefi Reskevics scored off a corner kick sent in by Sophie Barnadyn, then Maeve Riley notched a left-footed score from 25 yards out. Riley also added an assist.
Harbor Springs, now 10-1-2 overall and 9-0-1 in the Northern Shores, can secure the title on Thursday against Kingsley at home, which will also come as senior night at Ottawa Stadium.
Charlevoix will then close the regular season on Monday, May 18 against Charlevoix on the road.
Boyne City 6, Kalkaska 0
BOYNE FALLS — Both Kaelyn Matelski and Addy Burns notched a pair of goals to help the Boyne City girls add to their win total at home this week.
The Ramblers picked up a 6-0 win behind Matelski and Burns against Kalkaska at the Boyne Mountain soccer field.
Lyla Gerster secured her first career varsity goal in the win, then Cecilia Nadeau also scored.
Assists also came from Natalie Mastin and Malorie Carter, with Piper Olivier earning the shutout victory in net, her sixth of the season and third in the month of May.
Boyne City improved to 5-7-3 overall and 4-4-3 in the Northern Shores. They’ll next take on Glen Lake Wednesday, then bring in Elk Rapids Thursday.
A trip to Grayling on Monday, May 18 will also wrap the regular season.
Reach Sports Editor Drew Kochanny at dkochanny@petoskeynews.com and follow him on X @DrewKochanny and Instagram @drewkochanny
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Harbor Springs, Boyne City soccer add league wins; Petoskey draws in TC
Reporting by Drew Kochanny, The Petoskey News-Review / The Petoskey News-Review
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