On a wet and chilly day, the Bulldogs found a way to get it done in the dying moments of a hard fought contest! Visiting Kalamazoo Christian, a perennial Division 4 power, battled the elements and the Dawgs valiantly but fell 1-0.

The match was a bit sloppy by both teams' standards, but each side was able to mount some quality attacks in the first half. Both Ambreanna Powell and the Comets goalkeeper were up to the task, each having 4 saves in the first frame. Neither team's midfield could muster any sustained possession, and the pressure was on both back lines as days like Saturday make for some awkward and dangerous skips along the turf.

The second half was played in much the same manner as the first, with both teams doing a bit better job of connecting passes. Alexis Petty dealt well with the pace of Comet forward Kayla Beebe on a few occasions, and Senior Hannah Gagneur stepped out of the back to make some crucial tackles. The K Christian back line would bend but not break under the pressure of Otsego's attack led by Captain Grace VerHage, fellow Captain Cait Kitchen, and Junior transfer Alison Diller. Diller was limited in the later stages of the match with a knee issue, and a host of Bulldog players picked right up where she left off.

It was coming down to the wire, and in the closing 3 minutes Otsego mounted a bid for the win, playing more direct and pressing the issue. Earning a couple corners and a deep throw-in offered the opportunity the Dawgs needed! Junior goalkeeper Matti Rayman had bailed her team out a couple times in the second half, and it was now time for her teammates to get the win. With everyone pushed forward Petty won a header inside the 18 yard box off a VerHage service. The ball was knocked down and Petty got a follow-up opportunity which was deflected back out to Grace on the right flank. A blocked cross almost resulted in a counter-attack from the Comets had it not been for Petty and five of her teammates sprinting back to break the play. Another deep throw-in was earned by Otsego Freshman Caraline Kitchen, who immediately threw the ball to the chest of VerHage 30 yards from goal. With just under a minute to play, Grace used some fancy juggling technique to beat a defender and got the ball on her left foot. She cracked a low shot from 24 yards out. The Comet goalkeeper was up to the test, but gave up a rebound that allowed Caitlin Kitchen to alertly slip behind her mark and take the ball around the keeper and bang it home for the deciding tally with just 25 seconds remaining. 

Another great early season test for Otsego, and a win that should spark the team. A true team effort, battling the elements and the opposition. Ambreanna (4 saves) and Matti (8 saves) combined for the clean sheet.