Friendly rivalry: Flivver offense shines in win over IM
Iron Mountain varsity soccer player Anja Kleiman (8), at left, looks to outrun Kingsford defender Abby Przeslakowski (10) during the rematch between the two local rivals at Commemorative Field on Wednesday. The match was a continuation of a previously scheduled game at Mountaineer Stadium that was called off due to powerful winds. In the end, the Flivvers walked off with a 6-1 victory. (Terry Raiche photo)
Kingsford’s Erika Malone (5), front, cuts off Iron Mountain’s Aziza Burgoon (5) as the two rivals battle for control of the ball during the girls varsity soccer match between the Flivvers and Mountaineers on Wednesday at Commemorative Field. (Terry Raiche photo)
Iron Mountain defender Sierra Ryan (6) tries to get in the way of Kingsford’s Mia Counter (17), who found the net for a goal, with teammate Erika Malone (5) also there in front of the Mountaineers’ goal to help out, during Wednesday’s varsity soccer rematch. The Flivvers got the best of action, winning 6-1 in what was the season-finale for both teams. (Terry Raiche photo)
Kingsford’s Maria Fornetti (7) tries to get the upper hand on Mountaineer Aylah Hoffman (9) in a battle for a loose ball during the Flivvers’ 6-1 win. (Terry Raiche photo)
Iron Mountain varsity soccer player Anja Kleiman (8), at left, looks to outrun Kingsford defender Abby Przeslakowski (10) during the rematch between the two local rivals at Commemorative Field on Wednesday. The match was a continuation of a previously scheduled game at Mountaineer Stadium that was called off due to powerful winds. In the end, the Flivvers walked off with a 6-1 victory. (Terry Raiche photo)
Kingsford’s Erika Malone (5), front, cuts off Iron Mountain’s Aziza Burgoon (5) as the two rivals battle for control of the ball during the girls varsity soccer match between the Flivvers and Mountaineers on Wednesday at Commemorative Field. (Terry Raiche photo)
Iron Mountain defender Sierra Ryan (6) tries to get in the way of Kingsford’s Mia Counter (17), who found the net for a goal, with teammate Erika Malone (5) also there in front of the Mountaineers’ goal to help out, during Wednesday’s varsity soccer rematch. The Flivvers got the best of action, winning 6-1 in what was the season-finale for both teams. (Terry Raiche photo)
Kingsford’s Maria Fornetti (7) tries to get the upper hand on Mountaineer Aylah Hoffman (9) in a battle for a loose ball during the Flivvers’ 6-1 win. (Terry Raiche photo)
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KINGSFORD -- The first match pitting the Kingsford and Iron Mountain girls soccer teams this season ended around halftime when it was called off due to powerful winds blowing at Mountaineer Stadium.
The rematch, held Wednesday at Commemorative Field, was played in ideal conditions, and when the 80 minutes was complete, the Flivvers posted a 6-1 victory over the Mountaineers in both teams' season finale.
Erika Malone scored three goals, while Mia Counter added a pair and Brooke Bittinger chipped in with another as Kingsford was on the front foot most of the match.
"It was a great night for soccer," Kingsford coach Jon Lorenzoni said. "The weather was beautiful and we had a nice crowd. We pretty much dominated play tonight. We have playmakers everywhere."
That he did. Bittinger, Malone, Counter and Maria Fornetti scored goals in bunches this year. And all explosiveness was coupled by a stout defense. Alyssa Englund was strong in goal against the Mountaineers, allowing only one goal.
Lorenzoni said Lexie Vross and Peyton Johnson were "great on the defensive side."
Alexis Paris scored the Mountaineers' goal off a beautiful corner kick from junior Aziza Burgoon about midway through the first half.
"Overall, our girls played tough last night against Kingsford," Iron Mountain co-coach Carly Lambert said. "It felt way hotter than the temperature showed, and I think it really affected our girls and their energy. The second half we ended up a bit flat to start. We did more subbing than we ever have prior to last night."
Both coaches spoke of their players afterward.
"Alyssa Englund was great in goal," Lorenzoni said. "Fornetti might have been the best player on the field without scoring a goal. Malone and Bittinger, just awesome.
"Abby Przeslakowski might be the most improved player I've ever seen. Mia Counter was phenomenal all year. And Sara Schullon, who we did not think we would have due to a torn muscle last year, was so solid all year."
Lambert, whose was aided by co-coach Bethany Fehr, recapped her team's season.
"Our team MVP was freshman Cali Picucci," Lambert said. "She was a patient, young player who didn't get a ton of field time, but always showed up for practice, and when she did get in there, she was tough and would come off the field thanking us and excited. So seeing her face light up with the honor was a great cap to the season.
"We think we have a good crew to work with next year," she added. "We are only losing a few seniors, and we are hoping to get some of the incoming freshmen to come kick around with us this summer to see what we can expect. We can't wait."
The Mountaineers, whose slate was littered with weather-related cancellations, finished 3-4. The Flivvers wound up at 12-2-2.