Alpena soccer earns three first-team All-District honors
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ALPENA -- Alpena boys' soccer recently celebrated its season at an awards banquet, with three players earning first-team All-District honors and three others receiving honorable mention.
Senior Forward Joe LaCross, Senior Center Defender Reed Leeck and Junior Midfielder Parker Kaiser were selected to the first team. Junior Goalkeeper Jayden Crandall and seniors Jackson Birmingham and Jackson Natzel received honorable mention.
Courtesy photo
Alpena boys soccer players hold team awards following the season banquet. From left: Joe LaCross (Team MVP and Golden Boot), Bryson Collegnon (Most Improved), Jackson Natzel (Coach's Award), Reed Leeck (Best Defender), and Jackson Birmingham (Best Midfielder).
LaCross, a four-year varsity player and two-year captain, led the team in goals and assists with 37 season points. He tied the Alpena single-season record with 18 assists and tied for second all-time in single-season points. Coach Ken Dragiewicz described the senior's speed, competitiveness, and motor as making him a constant scoring threat.
"This is a special senior class, and it starts with Joe LaCross who had an outstanding career setting or tying multiple school records this season," Dragiewicz said. "This group, especially the seniors, have made a significant impact on Alpena soccer, not only with their performance on the field but making a program the school can be proud of."
Leeck, a third-year varsity starter, played nearly every minute of the season. Dragiewicz credited his size and speed with making him a lockdown defender.
Kaiser, in his third varsity season, scored seven goals and added six assists. The coach highlighted his high soccer IQ, technical skills, and ability to do the little things that affect games but do not show up on the scoresheet.
Among the honorable-mention selections, Crandall posted a 2.7 goals-against average with 107 saves and five shutouts. Birmingham, a senior outside midfielder, captain, and vocal leader, finished with 11 goals and four assists. Natzel, a senior center defender, recorded two assists and was praised for never backing down and always playing at full intensity.
Other seniors recognized by Dragiewicz for their contributions included Sam Bastow, Jacob Krey, Bryson Collegnon, and Mason Burns. Collegnon, a first-year varsity player and first-year high school soccer participant, quickly developed into a key outside defender.
Josh Jambor can be reached at jjambor@thealpenanews.com.