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.
Cale Jones, Airport: The lead-off hitter sparked the offense with three hits in a 10-3 victory over Grosse Ile. Danny Evans was the winning pitcher and Drake Ferris drove in two runs.
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
Juliette Morrison, Flat Rock and Haley Burden, Jefferson-Erie Mason: Neither allowed a goal as the teams played to a 0-0 tie in a Huron League round-robin game. “The game was by far our most complete game this season,” Flat Rock coach Craig Stanczyk said. “The back line played amazing, the communication between players was consistent keeping them well organized the entire match.” Burden posted her fifth shutout of the season. “Flat Rock played us really tough they definitely showed out on their Senior Night,” Jefferson-Mason coach Dave Cousino said. “We had some good chances we hit a couple posts and their goalie had a big save on a PK.”
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
Olivia McMahon, Monroe: Rang up seven hits and saved the second game during an 8-2, 8-7 sweep of Adrian. The Trojans rallied for three runs in the final inning to pull out the second game as doubles by Delaynee Miller and Soffia Elmer sandwiched around a single by McMahon set the stage for Emma Falkenberg to single home the tying and winning runs. Miller finished with five hits and Sierra Daniels and Aly Lewis delivered four each. Maeve Westerlund earned her first pitching win of the season in the opener.
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 struck 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.
Avy Wood and Alexis Williams, Whiteford: Drove seven runs apiece in a 22-0, 17-1 thumping of Britton Deerfield. Winning pitchers Peyton Welch and Macy Ovall did not allow a hit. Whiteford can clinch the Tri-County Conference championship against Sand Creek Wednesday. “We’re still growing together, making mistakes and learning,” Whiteford coach Matt VanBrandt said. “We have some good competition in the next two weeks, and we will be very competitive when the state tournament begins.”
BOYS TRACK AND FIELD
Zane Knezevich, Jefferson: Helped set a pair of school records during wins over Milan 81-47, New Boston Huron 73-55 and Grosse Ile 86-42 that gave the Bears a 7-0 record in Huron League duals. He ran :22.62 in the 200 meters to eclipse the previous record set by of :22.74 set by Dennis Battistella in 2004. He also ran with Maddex Shotwell, Alex Brown and Josh Hargreaves to go 1:32.34 in the 800 relay, shattering a mark that had stood since 1988. Zy’Rell Henley won both hurdle races. Also taking first for the Bears were Josh Hargraeves (400), Logan Godlewsski (shot-put) and Thomas Fountain (discus). Luke Dulecki crossed the line first in the 1,600 and 3,200 and Cameron Crane was the champion in the 800 and pole vault for New Boston Huron, which clipped Milan 70-58 and Grosse Ile 80-48. Jamil Brown (100), Cameron Crane (800) and Devin Huggins (high jump) also won for Huron. Milan was a 69-59 winner over Grosse Ile as Braeden Lerette cruised to victory in both hurdle races and the long jump.
GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD
Angelina Wilson and Kaily McDaniel, Milan: Both were double winners helping the Big Reds complete a 7-0 record in the dual-meet portion of the Huron League schedule by beating Jefferson 90-34, New Boston Huron 69-59 and Grosse Ile 75-49. Wilson won the 200 and 400 meters and McDaniel both hurdle races. Other Milan winners were Jada Stines (100) and Mary-Kate Wayne (shot-put). Falyn Doss ruled the two longest races of the day and Zoey Cheney (800) and Cora Slovik (discus) won events for Huron leading the Chiefs past Jefferson 105-21 and Grosse Ile 74-54. Grosse Ile topped Jefferson 75-51.
BOYS GOLF
Devin Rhoades, Ida: Led with team to first place in a Lenawee County Athletic Association jamboree by taking medalist honors with a 38 at Rustic Glen in Saline. The Blue Streaks also got a 40 from Connor Zimmerman, a 42 from Kamden Jones and a 43 from Logan Mitchey. Harvey Richards shot 42 for Dundee’s best round.
Brayden Siders and Evan Mullins, Airport: Both checked in at 38 during a 157-164 win over Grosse Ile. Austin Tackett added a 39 and Cade Horner and Sam Miticariu shot 42.
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
