The 2024 soccer season kicked off in a big way for Leland boys soccer (2-0) after a convincing 5-0 win over perennial state powerhouse Grandville Calvin on Friday.
Leland junior Brian Mosqueda led with two goals, followed by sophomore Adrian Spencer (goal), Landon Allen (goal, assist), Max Waldrup (goal, 2 assists), Jose Roman (assist), and junior Dominic Ravello had eight saves.
The Comets travel to North Muskegon on Tuesday before competing against tough opponents Kingsford, University Liggett, and Gaylord to end the month of August.
Leland is coming off its fourth MHSAA Div. 4 semifinal appearance in six years with expectation just as high heading into 2024.
The Comets goal for 2024 is to get past the semifinals and into the finals to win the teams first state championship since 2018.
Leland coach Rob Sirrine is excited about the old cast that is coming back.
“There’s a lot of guys coming back. We lost some solid seniors in starting positions, but these guys have played together, a lot of them, for two or three years now,” Sirrine said. “We’ve got probably the best depth we’ve had in a long time.”
Sirrine is confident the Comets can play upwards of 19 players at any time with no drop off on the field.
“You don’t have to rely on 12 or 13 guys just to get the job done. That’s gonna help us through the playoffs. We’re just excited to get it going,” Sirrine said.
Leland seniors Colby Connor, Max Waldrup, and junior Brian Mosqueda are the Comets captains for 2024.
“I’ve been waiting a long time for this, so we gotta finish it off with a state title this year,” Connor said.
Connor and Waldrup say practice has been all business for the Comets with the one focused goal of winning a state championship.
“Our goal this year is to only win a state title. That’s what it’s been the past three years. We haven’t gotten there, four semis in the past six years. We need to get to the state final and finish it off for sure,” Waldrup said.
“We’re taking everything pretty seriously. We haven’t had a drop in talent at all.”
Mosqueda is most excited about playing competition from downstate.
“This is the first year that we’re really playing some real competitors from downstate to test us, to prove ourselves,” Mosqueda said.
The captain’s main focus is defense after losing several seniors on the back end.
The Comets fell to Muskegon Western Michigan Christian 3-0 in a heartbreaking semifinal defeat last year. The Comets are returning as Northwest Conference, district, and regional champions. They beat Suttons Bay 3-1 in a close district championship.
Leland will have to replace Agustin Creamer and goalie Jimmy Alpi, but will be returning Dream Team selections Waldrup, Trey roman, Mosqueda, and Connor, along with some not yet known faces.
