Scott Keyes
Sports Scene
Alma’s boys soccer team has experienced a dream season in 2011.
The Panthers won their first-ever district title October 22 with a 3-1 victory over Ovid-Elsie.
They came back October 25 and won a regional semifinal game 2-0 over Tawas. Alma played for a regional championship October 29 against either Elk Rapids or Bad Axe for the right to move on to the Division 3 quarterfinals, where the winner will likely face perennial power Detroit Country Day.
The results of the regional finals game were not available before press time.
But from here on out, with every victory the Panthers secure, they will continue to rewrite the record books for coach Nick O’Neil’s team.
Alma’s school record for wins was broken when this year’s team improved to 15-5-2 on the season with the victory over Tawas. The previous watermark for a season was 13 wins.
“It means a lot to my team to win our first district championship,” O’Neil said. “At the start of each season, we talk about goals, winning that first trophy, and hanging a banner in the gym is always No. 1. They’ve worked so hard and dedicated an enormous amount to improving as soccer players. It also means a lot to our Alma soccer alumni, who have helped get our soccer program to this point. For me personally, I’m just proud of what these young men have been able to accomplish. These kids will carry experiences like this with them for the rest of their lives, and I’m thrilled to be a part of that.
The win over Ovid-Elsie was a stepping stone for the Panthers team.
Alma took a 2-0 lead in the first half, with Trevor Rice scoring the first goal on an assist from Nicholas Camargo. Camargo put in the second goal, with Rice assisting.
With two minutes left in the half, the Marauders drew within a goal to send it into halftime at 2-1.
An insurance goal was scored by Rice on a free kick to help the Panthers close out the district final victory.
Meanwhile, watching the Panthers win a regional game over Tawas was extra special.
Senior Nick Stone gave Alma the early lead in the game, and freshman Jacob Adams scored an insurance goal late to secure the win for Alma.
Travis Butcher made seven saves in goal for Alma.
“We’ve played a fairly competitive schedule this season in hopes that it would prepare us for the MHSAA Tournament,” O’Neil said.
“We certainly had some battles against conference foes Freeland and Bullock Creek and our non-conference opponents Mt. Pleasant, Saginaw Nouvel, Caro, and Big Rapids were all good sides that have challenged us in every aspect of the game. In soccer, it’s tough not to look ahead because the games are played in such close succession. Then you realize that if you don’t focus on your immediate opponent your season will likely be over.”
However, the beat goes on for Alma.
“That tough regular season schedule was a tough one to say the least. Talk a little bit about the positives and negatives on both sides of the field,” O’Neil said.
“We’ve developed into a balanced team as the season has worn on. Our passing has really improved, which is critical for team like ours that relies on possessing the ball more than our opponents. We’ve also become a much more aggressive team defensively than we were at the start of the season. Everyone on the team has developed since the start of the season; it’s hard to single out one player over another. The younger players probably develop a little more than some of the upperclassmen, but that’s mostly due to practicing and playing at a higher level 6 days a week for the first time in their soccer careers.”
FOOTBALL
The Panthers hosted Chippewa Hills in their playoff opener October 28. The winner of that game went on to play the winner of the Ludington/Escanaba game the following week. (No results prior to press time.)
Alma is led by quarterback Vinny Costanzo, who has completed 81 of 146 passes for 1,283 yards and 14 touchdowns with two interceptions during the regular season. He also ran 23 times for 474 yards and six scores. Dylan Brown leads the ground attack with 126 rushes for 1,028 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Through the air, Caden Kipp has caught 25 passes for 433 yards and six touchdowns.
Brett Green has 21 receptions for 416 yards and four scores.