Plymouth's Nick Russ (22) chases down a Northville defender. (Ed Wright photo)

Furious late comeback lifts
Wildcats over Northville, 3-2

  How did Plymouth's boys soccer team greet its first-ever victory over longtime nemesis Northville?

  Olah!

  Sophomore Chandler Olah picked an excellent time to score his first varsity goal, settling a pass from Andrew Yoder at the top of the 18-yard box then ripping a low left-footer that squeezed into the lower-right corner of the net with 6:53 left to lift the Wildcats over the Mustangs, 3-2.

  The KLAA cross-over victory improved the Wildcats' record to 3-1-2 heading into Tuesday's huge South Division showdown against Canton.

  "I got a good ball from Andrew Yoder and turned just outside the 18," recounted Olah. "He was calling for it, but I thought I had a shot, so I took it. It was slippery, but it probably wouldn't have gone in if it hadn't been wet.

  "It's nice to be a part of the team's first win against Northville. Hopefully, we can keep beating them."

  Plymouth coach Jeff Neschich said Olah's goal was the result of a game-long effort to take advantage of the Mustangs' aggressive offensive strategy.

  "They cheated a lot of people up the whole game," said Neschich. "We were working all game to get it to our forwards fast so they could get in one-on-one situations.

  "We were able to get the ball to Chandler in a one-on-one, he got some space and cracked a nice left-footer that scooted beautifully under their keeper."

  Northville dominated time of possession in the first half, yet trailed at the break, 1-0, thanks to a couple solid saves by Plymouth senior goal-keeper Kyle Brindza and a sizzling shot by defender Michael Ambrose.

  Ambrose settled the ball on the fringe of the 18-yard box following a corner kick in the game's 31st minute. He then struck a lightning bolt of a shot that found the top third of the goal.

  The Mustangs' best first-half opportunity came off a corner with 6:57 left, but Brindza went down on a knee to secure a solidly-struck one-hopper.

  Brindza's best save of the night came four minutes into the second half when he went horizontal to deflect a hard shot off the right foot of Joey Zywiol.

  Five minutes later, Zywiol couldn't be denied, depositing the ball into the back of the net off an assist from Fatai Alashe.

  Zywiol did his best impression of a Ferrari less than three minutes later, weaving in and out of Plymouth defenders until he was eventually tripped up eight yards from the goal line, earning a penalty kick, which is ripped hard and low into the bottom of the net to stake the 'Stangs to a 2-1 advantage.

  Playing for the first time all night with a deficit, the 'Cats ramped up their aggressiveness.

  With 14:43 to play, Plymouth's Brent Zuzo sent a arching free kick from mid-field into the box. A Mustang defender who was trying to head the ball out of harm's way instead pushed it into the net, tying the game at 2-2.

  That set the stage for Olah's first-ever varsity goal that he will no doubt never forget.

  "It was just a great effort on our part," said Neschich, when asked about his team's comeback. "It didn't seem like we were getting too many calls go our way either, but the boys played above it."

  Ed Wright can be reached at (734) 453-1980 or info@plymouthcantonsports.com. 

Mitch Vaughn defends a Northville player during the second half of Wednesday's game. (Ed Wright photo) 

Chandler Olah (right) gets a congratulatory hug from Michael Ambrose following the sophomore's first career goal. (Ed Wright photo)