Today:

TOP JOBS Cashier for N.E. Ann Arbor Service Station. 24hrs/wk. weekend evening. shifts included. $8... Stylist, Manicurist, Facialist, newly remodeled salon, some clientele waiting 313-318-0507  [ View All Top Jobs ] TOP AUTOS FORD WINDSTAR LX 2001, 99K miles, good condition, very clean, new tires, brakes & steering... POP UP CAMPER: Rockwood-Premier 2007, 12 ft. box. Purchased in 2007 & used twice. Many fea...  [ View All Top Autos ] TOP HOMES Flat Rock "Deerfield Estates" Doublewide on Gardeners Lot ** Beautiful 3 bdrm. ** 2 full ...  [View All Top Homes ] TOP RENTALS PITTSFIELD 2 bdrm., 2.5 baths., condo in Wellesley Gardens, beautiful pond front, fireplac... TAYLOR, VANBORN Rd., 1 bdrm. apt. $385/mo. + 1 mo. Sec. 734-654-0016  [ View All Top Rentals ] TOP MERCHANDISE PROFESSIONAL COUPLE looking to rent in Chelsea area, no children, no pets, non smokers. 23... TAYLOR 10674 Continental Dr. May 17th & 18th. 10-4. Moving sale. Furn., clothes, new books...  [ View All Top MDSE ]   View Classifieds   Submit a TopAd        or call 1-877-888-3202

	The View A Heritage Newspaper Weekly Publication

Lady Tigers learn but take a 3-0 loss to Devils

Limited outside practice team hurts team in first contest of the season

By Tom Perkins, Special Writer

PUBLISHED: April 3, 2008

The soccer season for the Belleville Lady Tigers will be about coming together as a team and gelling on the field. Belleville will be looking to build and learn from each match. Purchase a copy of this photo

Having never been on a practice field as a full varsity unit yet, it wasn't too unlike Belleville was facing a Grosse Ile team with a 12th girl on the field.

The Tigers looked like they could keep up early, but their opponent, which head coach Brent Held said was visibly more in shape and cohesive, eventually overwhelmed them and took a 3-0 win.

"They were definitely in better shape and more fit than us and that showed up," he said. "It was a lack of practice time on our part. We were slow to react and getting beat to the ball, which is because we haven't been and played together. The mind wants to go but the legs don't."

For the first 10 minutes, Belleville put on pressure and produced two solid scoring chances, but it was the last action Grosse Ile's keeper would see.

The Red Devils netted a first goal off a corner kick at the 17:45 mark and with 11:51 remaining in the first half added another to go ahead 2-0 at the first half's conclusion.

They padded their lead with a shot from the top of the 18 yard box midway through the second half.

Getting a look at all his girls together on the field for the first time means Held will be making adjustments, and he said he started doing so during the game.

"We got a lot of people in and out throughout the game and we've been hashing some things over that could change," he said. "We were getting some of our veterans slotted into some different spots than last year and it will take a little tweaking on their part to get used to a new position."

Held got Christie McKeever up from defense to forward to add more experience at the forward position and was pleased with the results.

"She had a real strong game," he said.

Held was also happy with the performance turned in by sweeper Lauren Showler, who was busy throughout the game, and Ashley Butzin in the midfield.

"Ashley had a very solid game in a key position in the middle of the field," he said.

The Tigers have a week off to work together before traveling to Monroe on Monday for their second game. After getting to beat to 50-50 balls around 80 percent of the time, Held said practices will not be short on conditioning.

"For having been thrown together for the first time in their first game there's a good amount of girls to work with and we have a lot of talent - that was evident," Held said, and added "There is going to be a lot of running this week."

Tom Perkins is a freelance writer for the View/Courier. He can be reached at trperkins@gmail.com.