Glen Lake soccer (11-10) came back thrillingly to defeat Pentwater in an MHSAA Div. 4 district semifinal game Tuesday.
The Lakers fell behind throughout the first half before tying it in the second half and forcing extra time (4-4) in a whirlwind of a game.
Glen Lake flipped the switch and dominated in extra time, scoring three times in the first seven minutes to claim the semifinal win 7-4.
“We had to play with our hearts,” Glen Lake forward Hunter Cox said. “We were doing anything to score and we played well together.”
Glen Lake would play suffocating defense for the rest of time to clinch a spot in the district finals against Leland today.
Laker coach Jared Boynton describes the game as a “gritty win.”
“(Pentwater) was a tough competitor. They came out and they were physical. Not the same team we saw at the beginning of the season,” he said. “I’m really pleased with how we responded because each time, we went down. For us to finally get even 4-4 and then take the lead in overtime, Brody Switzer said it ‘we had heart’ and I believe him.”
Glen Lake sophomore Ezra Belanger led with a hat trick and an assist. Cox and Sawyer Homa each scored two goals in the highly contested matchup. Homa also tallied an assist while Ollie O’Neal, Ryder Needham, and Brody Switzer each setup their teammates to score.
Pentwater provided trouble for the Laker defense until late in the game when adjustments were made.
“We started talking better, we had better passing and then we were clearing it up the field, getting it back up to the offense,” Justin Thompson said.
Glen Lake goalkeeper Anthony Forton never stopped defending and had seven saves in the net.
The Laker will have to rest up after playing the 100-minute match as they will face a high octane offense in Leland today.
“We have to take care of our bodies, drink lots of water and mentally prepare,” Belanger said.
Lakers move on in districts
In a predistrict soccer game Wednesday, Glen Lake defeated Big Rapids Academy Crossroads 8-0.
Glen Lake forward Hunter Cox scored the first goal only 10 seconds after the game began.
Not even 90 seconds later, Cox scored his second goal. Cox even tallied an assist on the night as he was making the right pass and provided lethal pressure all night for the Lakers.
“(Cox) had a good mindset and was locked in,” Glen Lake soccer coach Jared Boynton said. “We started fast and that is always a worry in the playoffs, coming out sluggish.”
Other goal scorers in the blowout win include Bart Zunino 2 goals; Ryder Needham 2 goals; Sawyer Homa goal, assist; Ezra Belanger goal; Ollie O’Neal 3 assists; Brody Switzer added 2 assists.
Anthony Forton and Homa combined for a Laker shutout.
Glen Lake will play the winner of Buckley versus Pentwater at home Tuesday.
The big focus for the Lakers to be successful will be putting together a full 80 minutes of quality soccer.
“We’ve played good halves, good spurts and in good spells, but can we play good soccer for 80 minutes and beyond,” Boynton said.
SB survives Benzie
Suttons Bay soccer went into halftime of a predistrict soccer game Wednesday up 3-0 against Benzie.
The Huskies would storm back to tie the game and force overtime (3-3). Benzie scored first in the first overtime period to take a shocking 4-3 lead that led to an impressive comeback from the Norsemen.
Suttons Bay would remain calm and composed while quickly striking twice in overtime to win 5-4.
The Norsemen jumped out to a quick 2-0 start behind goals from Niko Franko and Julian Calderon. Suttons Bay forwards Isaac Martin and Cole Anderson each tallied assists. Lake Leelanau St. Mary sophomore James Bunek scored the third goal off an assist from Jorge Gomez.
Despite being on the ropes and outplayed throughout the first half, Benzie came storming back, scoring four unanswered goals to take a 4-3 lead in the first overtime.
With five seconds left in regular time, Calderon was fouled inside the scoring box that would have forced a game-winning penalty kick try.
After long deliberation between refs, they overturned the call to force overtime.
In the first overtime, Suttons Bay senior Graham Martin received the ball outside of the box, and shot a rocket past Benzie’s goalkeeper to tie the game 4-4.
“I like those kinds of shots just outside the 18 ... I was just really surprised by (Benzie’s) comeback. I’m proud of how we showed resilience and scored the two goals that made us win. It was stressful,” Martin said.
Not even two minutes later, Martin found Calderon, streaking down the pitch to score the game-winning goal with three minutes left the Norsemen held on to the win.
Suttons Bay goalkeeper Jacob Davis had 12 saves and rebounded strong after letting in four goals.
This was the first soccer game for Suttons Bay under the lights this season, which has become an enjoyable tradition for the players.
“It’s our one chance and I’m glad we won that game. It’s more fun under the lights,” Martin said.
Suttons Bay will travel to Leland Tuesday for a district quarterfinal game at 5 p.m.
Leland dominates Suttons Bay
Leland soccer scored five goals within the first 20 minutes of the game to run away with a district semifinal win over Suttons Bay 8-0 Tuesday.
Leland advances as the No. 1 seed to travel to Glen Lake today at 4:30.
Leland was led by Nano Creamer after he tallied a hat trick with an assist.
Leland scorers also include Trey Roman, Max Waldrup (2 goals), 1 assist, Liam Waskiewiscz goal, assist, Adrian Spencer goal, Brian Mosqueda assist, Weston Burda assist, London Allen assist, Ravello Smith had the shutout in goal.
