Suttons Bay made a convincing opening statement as the District tournament began Tuesday when the Norsemen whipped Mason County Central, 8-0, in a matchup at Benzie Central.

"The girls played well and unselfishly," said Suttons Bay coach Ryan DeFour.

The win helped advance the Norse to a game today, May 29, at 4 p.m. against either Forest Area or Manistee. The District finals are Saturday at 4 p.m., also at Benzie.

Senior goalkeeper Kara Bunbury “had one fantastic save,” the coach noted, in getting the shutout. “The girl from Mason County was 12 yards out and hit it toward the corner, and Kara reacted very quickly to save it,” DeFour said.

“Also, Charlotte Stowe, Brandey Albarado, Michelle Ness, and Fran Belanger played well in the midfield,” DeFour added.

The District tourney win came on the heels of a 13-3-4 regular season record for the Norsemen.

Last Wednesday, May 21, at home, Suttons Bay shut out Muskegon Catholic Central, 3-0.

“Everybody played well even though it was cold and rainy,” DeFour said.

Seniors Arianna Guillen, Alyssa Korson and Charlotte Stowe scored for the Norse. Stowe’s goal came on a shot fired from 25 yards out.

A game Friday at Cheboygan didn’t go as well with a 1-0 loss, DeFour said.

“The girls took a couple of good shots and hit the bar twice in the first half,” he said. “Cheboygan is a great team. But we tend to tighten up when our luck is off, and we’ll try to play the game we know how to play in the (District) playoffs,” the coach said.

The schedule for the Glen Lake varsity girls soccer squad has been less demanding over the past week – and a little less rewarding.

“The Glen Lake Lady Lakers finished their regular season with a tough 1-0 loss to TC Central JV Black,” last Wednesday, May 21, according to coach Dorne Yeager. The loss brought the Lakers’ regular season record to 10-6.

“The two teams were well matched … and it could have gone either way,” Yeager said. “The girls played well. They are at the point where they know what to do.”

Yeager noted that seniors Gina Gauthier, Emily Hubbell, Leaha Carey, Skye Hillier, Hannah Hillier and Emma Cook played their final regular season game and will be missed by the Lakers.

Glen Lake was slated to start District play today at 4 p.m. in Pentwater and expected to play Big Rapids Crossroads Academy.