Edsel Ford's Baraka Said and Crestwood's Rama Soueidan, both wearing white jerseys, try to distance themselves from their opponents while chasing a loose ball during a nonleague women's soccer game on May 10, 2024. did. Said's Thunderbirds and Soueidan's Chargers ended up playing against each other. The most recent meetings between the two rivals resulted in a scoreless draw. (Samantha Elliott — MediaNews Group)
DEARBORN HEIGHTS – Two days after a tough game against Downriver League opponent Brownstown Woodhaven, the Dearborn Edsel Ford girls soccer team posted a strong performance against local foe Dearborn Heights Crestwood. I recovered and got back on my feet.
It wasn't necessarily the result either team wanted, but the Thunderbirds and host Chargers were tied scoreless after 80 minutes.
“After a tough game against Woodhaven, we were a lot better tonight. Much better,” Edsel Ford coach Mohamed Saad said. “We couldn't find the right plan for missing a goalkeeper, so we decided to use Maisie (Gerlach) today.
“(Gerlach) is a field player and she kept us in the game, clearing the ball and taking pressure off us at the back,” Saad added. “She was really good to have her back.”
Photo Gallery: Women's Soccer – Dearborn Edsel Ford vs. Dearborn Heights Crestwood
Both teams fought through the 80 minutes with mostly clean play, solid scoring attempts, and good communication with teammates on the field and on the sideline, but ultimately were unable to score.
In the final 20 minutes, each team had several scoring chances as their netminders kept their respective teams in the game. Whether diving to cover the ball or batting it quickly out of the way, the two keepers kept zero on the board.
Coach Saad would have hoped for a win, but said his team is still getting better day by day amid concerns over recent injuries to the team.
“We're just doing better every day,” he said of their focus. “Every time we step out, we strive for better results. If we complete one more pass, make one more run and get better as individuals, that's going to help the team.” .”
He is excited about how the young players are stepping up as the season progresses under Coach Saad, who is in his first year at the helm at Edsel.
“Most of my back line is sophomores and freshmen who are stepping up and proving they have the grit and heart to play,” Saad said. “The players are starting to connect better and we're developing better combinations, so it's getting better and better.”
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The tie puts Edsel at 6-6-2 on the season, with two games left before the start of the MHSAA playoffs.
The Thunderbirds will conclude conference play with a revenge game against two-time conference champion Trenton on May 15th. They then host crosstown rival Dearborn Divine Child on May 17 to close out the regular season.
Meanwhile, Crestwood (7-5-2) will also travel next week to visit WWAC foe Melvindale on May 13th, then play another area rival at Dearborn High School on May 18th. This will conclude the regular season.