By DAVID COOK
While the Corunna boy’s came up one goal short in their signature match of the season, the effort they put out is further proof that the team is on the right course.
Taking on Lansing Catholic Central, ranked 10th in the state in Division 3 and last year’s state runner-up in Division 3, the Corunna soccer team was facing a measuring stick in how far the program has progressed. The results were highly positive as the Cavaliers dropped a hard-fought 1-0 decision.
“Lansing Catholic is a very tough team and the boys played a great game,” Corunna coach Jason Hall said. “Last year Lansing Catholic mercyed us. This year we hung right with them and only loss by goal.”
Last season was a tough one for the Cavaliers who finished 4-12-3 overall. This season the team eclipsed last year’s win total before even playing their 10th game as the Cavaliers opened the season with a 5-3-1 mark.
Key to this year’s success has been the play of the senior class which gained plenty of experience under fire last fall.
“I’ve got a real good group of senior boys,” Hall said. “I’ve been getting real good leadership from them. We may not be the most skilled team, but the guys have been working out all summer and preparing for this season. They played indoor soccer in the offseason and had workouts all summer.”
The closeness of the team and the way they have bonded has been a major factor in the success of the team.
“I think the thing that separates us from last year’s team is that while we had some pretty good individual players last year, we did not come together like this year’s team has. This group is really close in school and it shows up on the field. We have a real, real good team feeling this year and it showed in the Lansing Catholic game with a total team effort.”
Among the seniors leading the way this season have been Griffin Ballou on defense, Justin Buchholz in the midfield and Kevin Downer at striker.
Corunna has also been receiving strong play in goal from junior keeper Damon Montroy. Montroy recorded 21 saves in the Lansing Catholic match and has recorded two shutouts this season.
Downer leads the Corunna offense with 10 goals while junior Jordan Young has added six goals. Senior Trevor Taylor has eight assists to pace the squad.
“Defense has been our strong point,” Hall said. “Our defense has stepped up time and time again. Our defense has done a very good job and our midfield play has been exceptional.”
The Cavaliers are building toward the state tournament where they will be playing at the Flint Kearsley district.
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