News Photo by James Andersen Alpena striker Ivo Arvidsson-Ullberg launches a shot at the net during a game against Cheboygan on Saturday during the Huron Shores Tournament at Park Family Field at Wildcat Stadium. Arvidsson-Ullberg scored on the play, giving Alpena a 2-0 lead at the time.

The Alpena High boys soccer team couldn’t have asked for much more on Saturday.

Warm weather, perfect playing conditions, lockdown defense and plenty of scoring all added up in the Wildcats’ favor as they won their annual Huron Shores Tournament at Park Family Field at Wildcat Stadium.

Alpena (12-2-1) outscored three opponents 15-0 on the way to the title, beating Cheboygan 6-0, defeating Traverse City Christian 2-0 and blanking Pinconning 7-0 in the title game. For the day, Alpena outshot its opponents 44-1, converting about 35% of its total chances into goals.

“It’s a perfect day. Any time you can get everybody major minutes where they’re all complaining they’re tired, that’s probably a good thing,” Alpena coach Tim Storch said. “Not only did we get the three wins and three shutouts, but everybody stayed healthy and we’re getting ready for the big push to finish the regular season.”

Caleb Zaborney scored four goals for Alpena on the day, Ivo Arvidsson-Ullberg and Kyle Barbeau each had three and seven different players chipped in with goals in Alpena’s tournament win. Grant Botha had a pair of goals and Caleb Eaton, Kolton Goebel and Craig Tagliareni each had single tallies.

“Goal scoring is contagious and people like to score goals,” Storch said. “I encourage people to shoot the ball and encourage people to go forward. Sometimes the best defense is having a good offense.”

For their tournament play, Zaborney, Mike Clark, Hunter Canute and Jack Hamp were all named to the all-tournament team.

The Wildcats’ final game pitted them against Pinconning in a winner-take all game since both teams were 2-0 coming in. Alpena left no doubt who the better team was however as the Wildcats scored twice in the first half and added five more goals in the second half, including three in the first 10 minutes.

The Wildcats’ defense turned in a strong performance as well, not allowing the Spartans a single shot on goal. Pinconning’s best chance came with about five minutes left as Van Spencer raced toward the goal, but Alpena keeper Matt Diamond got to the ball just steps ahead of him, denying Spencer a shot.

Eaton put Alpena on the board first less than minutes into the game and Goebel added a score with 3:11 left in the first half. The floodgates opened in the second half as Barbeau scored with an assist from Arvidsson-Ullberg, Botha scored, Arvidsson-Ullberg scored and Zaborney beat Pinconning’s keeper twice in the final 5:39.

The Wildcats got a goal in each half to put away a talented Traverse City Christian squad. Tagliareni scored with 4:52 left in the first half, capitalizing on a corner kick and Arvidsson-Ullberg scored early in the second half, beating Christian’s keeper despite a deflection.

Alpena set the tone for the day in its first matchup, building a 3-0 halftime lead against Cheboygan. Botha banged in a rebound on a corner kick for Alpena’s first goal early in the first half and Arvidsson-Ullberg connected about 20 minutes later for a goal.

Zaborney began his big day by draining a penalty kick with 6:43 left in the first half, beating Cheboygan’s keeper down low. He got another chance with 24:58 left in the game and buried that one too, beating the keeper up high.

Storch said after the game, Zaborney played some of the best games of his career.

“He’s been a player that I’ve seen in the last few years that’s a very good 1 v. 1 (one-on-one) player that’s been a little bit snake bit,” Storch said. “Today I think he stepped out of the box a little bit. Real proud and happy for him.”

Barbeau finished things off for Alpena’s offense, redirecting a header off a corner kick with 20 minutes to play and connecting again on a rebound with 5:56 left after an initial shot hit the post.

Alpena has a quick turnaround and will host Alcona at 7 p.m. on Monday. The Tigers finished the tournament 1-2, getting a 1-0 win over Tawas after a late goal from Brett Nelson.

Other tournament scores from Saturday included:

Tawas 4, Sault Ste. Marie 1

TC Christian 6, Alcona 0

Pinconning 2, Sault Ste. Marie 1

Cheboygan 3, Alcona 2

Pinconning 2, Cheboygan 1

TC Christian 3, Tawas 1