Alpena boys soccer splits pair at weather-delayed Huron Shores Cup
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ALPENA – Alpena High School's boys varsity soccer team hosted the Huron Shores Cup on Saturday and opened with an 8-0 rout of Armada before falling 1-0 to Freeland in a game decided late in the first half.
Thunderstorms delayed the tournament more than four hours, several matches were cancelled, and no champion or runner-up was awarded.
Alpena jumped on Armada immediately, as Mason Burns scored early thanks to an assist by Reece Dragiewicz. The Wildcats led 3-0 at halftime and added goals quickly after the break from Joe LaCross and Jackson Birmingham on the way to the 8-0 final.
LaCross finished with five goals and two assists. Birmingham added two goals and one assist. Parker Kaiser recorded two assists. Burns scored once. Reece Dragiewicz, Sam Bastow, and Greyson Christensen-Cooper each had an assist. Goalkeeper Jayden Crandall made one save as Alpena allowed only one shot on goal.
Coach Ken Dragiewicz praised the opening performance.
"Proud of the way the boys performed in the opening game of the tournament," he said. "Started quick which is what you need to do in short tournament style games. While the offensive was impressive, starting with the defense and mid-field, they continually stopped Armada's offense... and were able to quickly counter-attack. Joe LaCross had an incredible game with seven points, five goals and two assists."
The second match was a tighter, lower-scoring affair. Freeland scored on a deflection with 13 seconds left in the first half and held on for the 1-0 win. Crandall made six saves.
"Well played, low scoring game," Dragiewicz said. "Boys played well after an over 4-hour weather delay. Jayden Crandall played exceptionally well in goal making several key saves. Freeland is a quality team, and we could not create a sustained attack."
He added that he was pleased with the team's effort across the tournament. "This early in the season it is important to play quality opponents which will help the team develop into conference play."
Alpena used the early-season tournament as a measuring stick against quality opposition despite the weather disruption.