Semi-scare

Novi grabs early lead, but Rocks rebound to remain unbeaten in KLAA Central

  There's an "uh-oh" mentality that can seep into a team's mind-set if it carries a deficit into halftime.

  Thanks to a late first-half connection by Evan Antich and Sal Savage, Salem's soccer team didn't have to worry about any psychological let-downs Tuesday night.

  Novi carried a 1-0 advantage into the latter stages of the opening 40 minutes, but Antich buried a shot into the back of the goal at the five-minute mark to spark the Rocks' 2-1 victory.

  Salem, which is ranked seventh in the MHSSCA poll, improved to 9-2-2 overall and 5-0 in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association Central Division. Novi slipped to 1-1-3 in the division.

  "A lot of times, after you give up that first goal of the game, it's tough to come back," said Ed McCarthy. "When Novi scored it seemed to motivate us to play better. It was nice to see the way we came back after giving up that goal."

  Following a re-start by Dan Martin, Savage controlled the  ball before playing it across the box to Antich, who knocked it home.

  The game-winning marker came 15 minutes into the second half when Brendon Quinn tallied his first goal of the season off an assist from Alex Tramel.

  Sasa Miskovic was solid between the pipes for the Rocks, stopping five shots.

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