Lakers defeat Comets for first time since 2021

For the first time since September 2021, Glen Lake (7-0-1) boys soccer has defeated Leland (1-4-1) on the soccer pitch in a 3-1 win Wednesday.
The Lakers took a 2-0 lead into halftime and held on to win their seventh straight game and take an early-season hold atop the Northwest Conference (NWC).
“It was a heck of a performance by our team and all around, a beautiful game to watch,” Glen Lake senior goalkeeper Anthony Forton said. 
Forton had five saves, and made them when it mattered most after an onslaught of Leland’s second-half shots. 
The Lakers have now won seven straight after tying in the first game. 
“This is just step one. We are putting that banner up,” Forton said. 
Glen Lake senior forward Hunter Cox scored the third and final goal halfway through the second half to separate the Lakers from the Comets. 
“We’ve been working all year, all summer, all winter, just to get this moment right here, and it feels great,” Cox said. “All across the board, everyone played with heart today, played for the badge.”
Glen Lake senior Ezra Belanger scored a goal along with Grayson Thompson. Laker midfielder Sawyer Homa had two assists, and Belanger also found a teammate for a goal. 
The backline was led by senior Tanner Crick along with Baxter Homa, Zeb Mackey, and Ryder Needham.
For the first time in a few years, Glen Lake has a whole team of 22 players after struggling to field 11 in recent memory.
Glen Lake coach Jared Boynton knows every time they match up with Leland, it’s the biggest game of the season and can decide the tide. 
“I told them before the game, let’s go make a memory ... So proud of them. One step to putting up a banner,” Boynton said. 
Leland has had a tough start to the season, losing against top Division 1 and 2 competition, including Birmingham Seaholm, Warren De La Salle Collegiate, and Grandville Christian, while tying North Muskegon and defeating Traverse City St. Francis. 
The Comets had 24 shots but could only find the back of the net once. Leland hit the crossbar three times as well. 
“There was some talk in the locker room about our next game, playing Glen Lake. We have a game on Friday; we need to go get that one first. One game at a time,” Leland coach Rob Sirrine said. “That’s our hope. It’s the hardest schedule we’ve ever had. And hopefully, they will benefit from it. That is where you figure out where your weaknesses are early on in the season rather than in the playoffs.”
Leland will have to wait until Sept. 22 to take on the Lakers at home, perhaps for at least a share of the Northwest Conference championship.
Glen Lake travels to Gaylord Saturday, while Leland looks to get back on track against Marquette at home Friday at 5 p.m.