With Spring still not wanting to show up for the start of the soccer season, the Caro Tigers were hosting the team from Marlette on a chilly evening. The game started with a well balanced fight from both sides with defenders, midfielders and strikers setting the pace to win the real estate. The hosts were hesitant somehow to win the ball and mark the opposing players which opened up some shooting opportunities for the visitors and therefore testing the Caro goalie who made spectacular saves to keep her team in the game for at least 30 minutes. Then, some confusion again in defense after a passing cross found the Marlette player unmarked and was able to deliver a weak shot towards the goalie to witness the ball rolling slowly in the net. This gift is a reminder of the previous game against North Branch with similar outcome. However, the Tigers would not give up and kept pressing up front to generate some opportunities. Fair enough, midfielders Ellie Fisch and Faith MacDonald fed forward player Olivia Walker who was able to beat the Marlette defender with a breakaway and delivered a low shot past their goalie in the net for the tie, with 5 minutes to go in the first half. At this point, the game was pretty much even and any mistakes could lead to a dangerous play and eventually a goal. Both teams retrieved for a break at half with a 1-1 score sheet. At this point, the coach and his players were convinced that the second half would be the Tigers' one. Unfortunately, despite the Caro team's domination and the amazing defensive plays, it took another mishap and unlucky moment to provide the visitors with another gift by letting a rolling ball make it in the back of the net for their second lead after 9 minutes. The Caro team was still battling to come back and it came close to do so with a breakaway from forward Katie Scharrer who mis-kicked the ball and miss the net with only 6 minutes left to the game. The score held up until the final whistle thanks to the amazing performance of the Caro Goalie, Talena Pifer, who made another spectacular save from a beautiful and dangerous shot. The hosting team was so frustrated to not justify their awesome performance on the score board which is not really a reflection of the game. Some time, it takes luck for one team to win and perseverance and character for the other team to build upon tangible progress through the evolution of the game for the next games to come. The last three games were a true evidence of the gradual improvements the Tigers are showing.

The game MVP award was presented to Freshman Olivia Walker who scored the only goal for her team and contributed strongly in both the offensive and defensive zones.

Next game is at home in Caro again on Thursday, April 11, hosting the team from Memphis High School at 5:30 pm.