Local Sports: Second-half performance propels Milan soccer to District championship
FLAT ROCK – Milan's boys soccer team felt it came into Tuesday's District tournament prepared.
But the game seemed slightly off script at halftime with the Big Reds nursing a slim 2-1 lead. That all changed in the second half as Milan scored three unanswered goals to pull away for a 5-1 win in the Division 3 District semifinals at Flat Rock.
"We went out (in the second half) a bit different than we started," Milan coach Phillip Hayes said. "We had a heart-to-heart talk at halftime about staying focused and fulfilling all our goals and objectives for the game that we discussed going into it."
Carter Higgins and Nolan Matley scored goals in the opening half, with Fred Brown, Braeden Lerette, and Caleb Klein adding to the score in the second half. Zander Parris played well in goal for the winners.
"We needed to stay focused when it came to our tempo and not get excited and start rushing," Hayes said. "It was very night and day from the first half to the second half."
Milan improved to 12-3-2 overall and advances to the District championship 5:30 p.m. Thursday against Grosse Ile.
Ida finished its strong season 15-5-1 overall.
PREP SOCCER
Monroe season ends
YPSILANTI – Monroe led 1-0 at halftime but Saline scored three unanswered goals after the break to win 3-1 in the Division 1 District semifinals.
Brian Palmer scored for Monroe off an assist from Yuma Watanabe.
"Boys are obviously very disappointed that they couldn't hang on," Monroe coach Ian Cooke said. "We had a plan and it was working perfectly for an hour. Credit to Saline. They kept the pressure on and in the end, just had a little too much strength and depth for us."
Monroe finishes the season 13-6-2 overall and graduates Talen Swinkey, Austin Dunn, Lucis Rzepa, Trevor Mann, Mathieu Green, Ethan Merkle, and Wantanabe.
"It's been a great run this year," Cooke said. "Our guys have played an extremely tough schedule and beaten a lot of very good teams along the way."
Flat Rock falters
FLAT ROCK – Grosse Ile scored quickly after the opening kick and then pulled away in the second half for a 10-2 win over Flat Rock in the Division 3 District semifinals Tuesday.
"They scored their second goal pretty quick too, within 5 minutes," Flat Rock coach Sean Sturgeon said. "We got one back at 4-1 and started to possess the ball better, started getting confidence, and started pushing Grosse Ile."
Grosse Ile reasserted itself at halftime and ended the game by mercy rule with about 20 minutes remaining.
Mitchell Smith had a goal and an assist for the Rams, who finished 5-12-1. Reagan Engelbert also scored.
Englebert is one of five graduating seniors on the team along with Noah McKinnon, Nick Dropiewski, John Lukasic, and Laren Rogier.
"They were leaders and they definitely helped the younger guys stay focused and get ready for the games," Sturgeon said. "During the last six years I've been coaching, we've won a District game four of those years and that's huge."
Risks hurt SMCC
RIVERVIEW – With the season on the line, St. Mary Catholic Central changed tactics to push for a goal. That push resulted in a swing for the other side with Lutheran Westland pulling away for a 5-2 victory in the Division 4 District semifinals Tuesday.
"I am proud of the product and effort we put out onto the field tonight," SMCC coach Nathan Olson said. "We got it close, 3-2, and we had to start taking some risks to try and generate some offense and get a spark on the field. Unfortunately, those risks lead to two more goals."
Will Shafer and Caleb Hendrix scored for SMCC with assists from Cameron Cole and Kein Clawson. The Falcons wrapped up the season 10-11 overall.
Seniors Isak DeSloover, Chaz Harrington, Carter Hoffman, Holden Kennedy, Trent Zachel, and Alex Popadich played their final game for the Falcons.
"Overall good season. This team really came together on and off the field," Olson said. "I've coached some of them since the fourth grade, so it's sad to see this group (of seniors) go. I've watched them grow from boys to young men. They've had great career."
PREP VOLLEYBALL
Ida rallies past Dundee
DUNDEE – Ida dropped the first two sets but rallied to win in five against rival Dundee Tuesday night.
The Blue Streaks triumphed 12-25, 24-26, 25-12, 27-25, 15-12.
Mia Karl led Ida with 12 kills and Gabby Gobrecht added 9 kills and 4 blocks. Defensively, Jessica Schrader, Ellie Jones, and Kelsey Stein all had strong games with over 30 digs apiece.
"I'm very proud of how the girls battled back after losing the first two sets," Ida coach Ashley Begeman said. "They fought hard and played some of the best volleyball I've seen them play all year. It was an overall team effort that they worked very hard for."
Kennedy Irwin (14 kills and 16 digs), Lola Salenbien (28 assists, 25 digs), and Briley Bordine (24 digs) led Dundee.
Bedford tops Skyline
ANN ARBOR – Victoria Gray posted a double-double with 13 kills and 16 digs to lead Bedford to a 20-25, 25-21, 25-20, 25-11 win at Ann Arbor Skyline Tuesday.
Kadie Morse hit .643 with 10 kills, Jaelyn Hall had 10 kills and 5 blocks, Alivia Brown recorded 10 kills, and Kaylin Schroeder added 42 assists, 11 digs and 4 kills.
Bedford improved to 46-3 overall and 7-0 in the Southeastern Conference Red.
Whiteford wins in four
OTTAWA LAKE – Whiteford defeated Summerfield 25-17, 25-12, 22-25, 25-22 Tuesday.
Playing well for Summerfield were Mia Miller (14 digs, 11 kills, 8 points, 3 aces) and Ava Fisher (21 digs, 5 points, 3 aces).
Whiteford won the JV match 25-22, 25-15, 22-15. Bridget Salenbien and Bethany Suydam led the Bulldogs.
PREP SWIMMING
Monroe wins sixth
PINCKNEY – Monroe pushed its dual meet record over .500 with a 111-58 win over Pinckney.
Sophia Sorg was a double winner for the 6-5 Trojans with victories in the 200-yard individual medley and the 100 freestyle.
Monroe swimmers finished 1-2-3 in the breaststroke with Kate Rolinski, Madison Mahoney, and Lauren Lahna, and also took the top three spots in the butterfly with Lauren Lahna, Katie Murphy, and Phoebe Lietaert.
Monroe also swept the relays.
Erie-Ida celebrates at home
ERIE – Erie Mason-Ida earned a win in its first home meet of the season, defeating New Boston Huron-Taylor 116-64.
Riley Jacobs was the top performer for the Eagles, taking first in the 200 IM and breaststroke and swimming on two winning relays.
Other winners were Shelby Potter (500 free), Summer Smith (100 free), Sophia Sorg (backstroke), and Rylee Shaffer (200 free).
Mia Balcerzak, Gracie Dean, Jessica Lay, Ellie Crawford, Sydney LaVoy, Issy Cureton, Ashe Etue, Natalie Lewis, Sidney Roderick, Taylor Collyer, Allie Ellis, Alexis Etue, and Lexi Globensky also swam well and all earned points for the Eagles.
Dundee wins twice
DUNDEE – Dundee was a 106-79 winner over Trenton and claimed a 118-59 win over Belleville during a tri-meet at home Tuesday.
Winners for Dundee were Brook Hester (200 free, 500 free), Joslyn Ball (50 free, butterfly), Kaylee Desbrough (200 IM), and Lillian Ratliff (backstroke).
Alexis Colby, Natalie Bron, Kaylee Imo, and Allie Federer also had top-three finishes. The Vikings also swept all three relay events.
YOUTH RUNNING
Trinity runners shine
MONROE – Trinity Lutheran sixth-grader Cole Butler took first place in the K-6 division at the Bork Cross Country Classic Saturday at Munson Park. He ran the 2,000-meter course in 7:24.
Jacob Baron placed seventh. In the girls K-6 division, sixth graders Kelsie Sikes (second), Avan Dowen (third), and Delanie Sikes (ninth) placed in the top 10.
Top finishers in the junior high division were Gavin Rohr (fifth) and Charity Frank-DeRoch (11th).
GOLF
Giant Oak ace
TEMPERANCE – John Kreuchauf, 76, of Samaria earned a hole-in-one Oct. 9 at Giant Oak Golf Club. He aced the No. 15 hole with a gap wedge from 94 yards out.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Local Sports: Second-half performance propels Milan soccer to District championship
