Frances Parks (1) of Jackson College attempts to get past Jaidyn Cavalieri of Northeast Community College during a match at home Sunday. Photo by Jeff Steers, JTV Sports.
College Sporting Events
Women’s Soccer
Northeast 7, Jackson College 2: The Jackson College women’s soccer team took on a mighty challenge in their opening weekend, first defeating MCCAA and Region XII opponent Grand Rapids Community College 3-2 on Saturday and then falling 7-2 to nationally ranked No. 8 Northeast Community College out of Nebraska in a non-conference game on Sunday.
In the Saturday tilt Jackson would get on the board first with a goal by Franny Parks (Mishawaka, Ind.) assisted by Lauren Wilson (Highland, Ind.) and take a 1-0 lead into the half.
Early in the second half, Parks would be taken down in the penalty box and Abbi Johns (Wooster, Ohio) would convert the attempt to put the hosts up 2-0. But Grand Rapids wouldn’t go away easily and secured a penalty of their own not long after to draw within one. A second goal by the visitors saw the score level but the Jets would find the game winner with just under 10 minutes remaining on a brilliant volley goal off the foot of Jessa Davis (Dowagiac, Mich.) with the assist going to Franny Parks.
Goalkeeper Katie Gasper (Paw Paw, Mich.) was solid in goal making a handful of saves.
In the Sunday tilt the Jets would start strong, matching the skill and athleticism of the nationally ranked foe for the first third of the half but eventually the visitors from Nebraska would punch a hard shot past goalkeeper Katie Gasper to take the 1-0 lead. A goal by Jackson’s Tina Covic (Haslett, Mich.) would see the half end 3-1 with Jackson trailing but still holding onto some life.
A quick goal by Northeast to start the second half seemed to put the game out of reach early but Jessa Davis would head home a corner kick from Abbi Johns for Jackson to draw the home team back within two.
Unfortunately, the No. 8 team in the nation proved just a bit too much for the Jets and would prevail by a final score of 7-2.
“A tough weekend against two strong teams back to back early in the season is a real challenge,” said Jackson Coach Andy Hosmer. “But I like these games, to see where we stand on the national stage against a legitimate national title contender. We came up short, but I was really proud of the way the girls battled and we will come away from this a much stronger team over-all.”
Jackson is 1-1 on the season and will travel to Marysville, Mich., on Wednesday to take on St. Clair County Community College in another MCCAA match.
On Deck for Aug. 21, 2023
High School Sporting Events
Boys Soccer
Columbia Central at Blissfield 5 p.m.
Grass Lake at Northwest 6:30 p.m.
Jackson Christian at Manchester 5:30 p.m.
Jackson at Eaton Rapids 7 p.m.
Michigan Center at Lumen Christi 6 p.m.
Western at Kalamazoo Central 6:30 p.m.
Girls Golf
Jackson at Saline 3:30 p.m.
Boys Tennis
Lumen Christi at DeWitt 8:30 a.m.
Northwest at Hillsdale Academy 4 p.m.
College Sporting Events
Women’s Soccer
Spring Arbor University at Park Gilbert (Arizona) 10 p.m.