The Alpena High School varsity soccer team traveled to Sault Ste. Marie on Thursday and returned with a 7-0 win over the Blue Devils.

Joe LaCross scored five goals, while Lucas Thomson and Owen Kaiser each contributed one goal. Owen Kaiser had three assists, Mason Burns had two assists, and Parker Kaiser had one assist. Wildcat goalies Jayden Crandall and Josh Short each made two saves.

Alpena set the tone early with three goals in the first 10 minutes, one by Owen Kaiser and two by Joe LaCross. Alpena controlled the action and maintained possession through much of the first half, leading 4-0 at halftime.

The Wildcats continued to apply pressure to the Sault throughout the second half and finished with a 7-0 win.

“Today was a team effort and while Joe LaCross and Owen Kaiser led the score sheet, the pressure of the defense and midfield provided the opportunity,” Coach Ken Dragiewicz said, adding that he is “proud of the team’s effort and teamwork.”

Alpena hosts the Sunrise Side Cup Soccer Tournament today, with games from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Wildcat Stadium and the practice field behind the high school.

The tournament schedule is as follows:

9 a.m. Wildcat Stadium: Alpena vs. Gladwin

9 a.m. Practice Field: Cheboygan vs. Traverse City St. Francis

10:30 a.m. Wildcat Stadium: Alpena vs. Cheboygan

10:30 a.m. Practice Field: T.C. St. Francis vs. Grayling

Noon Wildcat Stadium: T.C. St. Francis vs. Gladwin

Noon Practice Field: Cheboygan vs. Grayling

2 p.m. Wildcat Stadium: Alpena vs. T.C. St. Francis

2 p.m. Practice Field: Gladwin vs. Grayling

3:30 p.m. Wildcat Stadium: Alpena vs. Grayling

3:30 p.m. Practice Field: Gladwin vs. Cheboygan

The championship and runner-up trophies will be handed out at the stadium following tournament play.