The Marquette boys varsity soccer team traveled to Alpena on Saturday, September 24 for tournament action. The team placed third even though it finished the day undefeated.
In game 1, Marquette played in the rain against Traverse City Christian to a 1-1 tie. No goals were scored in the first half and Traverse City scored with four minutes to go in the game. Marquette’s Ezra Pickard tied the game with two minutes to go from an Easton Zivnoska pass. Edan Hautamaki faced 3 shots in the first half and 4 in the second half in net.
“Traverse City is ranked number 10 in division three and we told the team even though it was a round robin game, this would look more like the championship game. We had several chances to score but just couldn’t find the back of the net. I felt we were the better team and controlled play most of the time.” – coach Dan Salmon
_
Marquette’s Henry Wood (left in white) advances the ball against Traverse Ciity Christian. Mary Sysko photo
In game 2, Marquette faced Grayling and won 1-0. After a scoreless first half, Max Dawson scored on a Mason Bocklund assist with four minutes to go in the game. Hautamaki faced two shots in net in the first half including a penalty kick and one in the second half.
“Edan’s save against the penalty kick kept us in the game and was the play of the game. Because of tiebreakers, we needed to score 4 goals to advance to the championship game but Grayling played us tough.” -coach Salmon
_
Marquette’s Jack DeMerse moves the ball past a Grayling defender. Mary Sysko photo
In the final game, Marquette beat Cheboygan 4-1. Cheboygan scored first at the 20 minute mark before Dawson tied the game with five minutes to go in the first half. His goal from came from a Pickard and Evan Sysko assist. Marquette scored three goals in the second half which included Dawson from Pickard, Pickard unassisted, and Henry Wood from Dawson. Hautamaki faced four shots in the first half and three in the second half.
“Our defense played exceptionally well in this game and the offense put the ball in the net when we needed it. A really good team effort in the win.” – coach Salmon
_
Marquette’s Mason Bocklund, red and left, clears a ball from the defensive end versus Cheboygan. Mary Sysko photo
Marquette improves to 17-2-2 on the season and travel to Houghton on Saturday, October 1st.
