The Leland boys soccer team defeated Glen Lake, 4-1, in an MHSAA D4 district final Wednesday, repeating last year’s championship result and winning a fourth straight district championship.
The Comets pulled away in the second half after Glen Lake fought back to tie late in the first half. Leland opened the scoring from a penalty kick by Evan Keen, before Glen Lake’s Odin Hawley-Joppich equalized in the last five minutes of the half. “We just needed to play a little quicker out of the back,” Sirrine commented on the first half, “and then you’re creating chances; we just need to finish them.”
Liam Sweeney brought Leland back on early in the second half. Levi Ulbrich added a close-range goal to extend the lead to 3-1, and Gage Lazar scored Leland’s fourth goal. The win marked Leland’s third victory over Glen Lake this season. The Comets defeated the Lakers 3-0 on September 14 and 1-0 on September 30 before Wednesday’s district final. “(Glen Lake) is always bringing their best,” Leland coach Rob Sirrine said.
Leland goalkeeper Edgar Hernandez Mosqueda said intensity drove the Comet's victory.
The reigning D4 state champions will turn their sights to Harbor Springs Tuesday at Cadillac (7 p.m.)
The Comets now turn their attention to the next round of the postseason.
Sirrine said that adjusting to turf fields will be an important part of the team’s preparation since Leland’s home field is grass.
“The ball bounces more; it’s faster, it’s just a different game.”
