Wildcats stifled by Northmen at home
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ALPENA -- The Alpena High boys soccer team fell to Petoskey on Thursday. The Wildcats lost 4-0 after a tough start to the game.
"We dug ourselves a huge hole early on, in the first five minutes we should've had a goal with there being a wide-open net, but we just didn't convert. The tempo of the game could have been completely different if that were to happen, but it didn't and from then on out, I thought our team played scared," Alpena coach Tim Storch said.
The first half was completely dominated by Petoskey and left the Wildcats (11-4-2, 4-2-1 Big North Conference) in a tough position to come back.
Six minutes into the game the Northmen got on the board. Petoskey's Sawyer Webster scored off of a header for his first goal of the game, giving the Northmen the very early 1-0 lead.
Only another eight minutes later, Webster struck again. With 26:18 left in the half, Webster struck the ball right through the net again, putting Petoskey up 2-0.
Alpena's defense began to settle in near the end of the first half, but Petoskey still had time for one more goal. Benjamin Shuman got credit for the goal after several Petoskey players took consecutive shots at the goal.
Shuman's goal gave the Northmen the 3-0 lead entering halftime.
"The goals we allowed in the first half were not good goals. We have to play harder and smart against quality teams," Storch said.
Being down 3-0 was going to be a very tough task to come back from for the Wildcats, but its defense improved to keep them in the game.
Alpena switched goalies at the half, and Preston Schuldt almost immediately made an impact with a great save.
The Wildcats held their own for the first 30 minutes of the second half with no scoring between either side. This was until the Northmen scored their fourth and final goal of the game. Kurtis Mainland scored off of a penalty kick to finish off the game.
Although the Wildcats came up short, there are many positives Storch believes came out of the game.
"The main positive to take out of this game is that we have a very good chance to see this team for the third time in districts. This game shows us what it takes to beat them and we know we have to bring our work ethic and intensity to win," Storch said.
Alpena plays Gaylord on Tuesday.
Alpena ended a busy week in which it played three games in three days. Alpena defeated Traverse City Central 4-3 on Tuesday and defeated Oscoda 8-0 on Wednesday at home before Thursday's loss.