MONDAY’S ROUNDUP: Suhajda’s game-winner helps Cougars upset No. 9 Grand Blanc; Athens deges Salem
GRAND BLANC — Grand Blanc has perhaps the state’s best soccer player. The Bobcats are a state powerhouse program listed as honorable mention in the Division 1 state rankings and even reached the Final Four last season.
Rochester Stoney Creek is an injury-riddled soccer team that has not played up to expectations so far this season — until Monday.
The Cougars upset host Grand Blanc, 2-1, in a non-league boys soccer match. Ben Suhajda booted home the winner with under five minutes to go.
“The guys had a game plan and executed it,” said Cougars coach Adam Bican. “We haven’t been playing all that well, and we’re still missing a couple of guys out and they won’t be back for a couple of more weeks. But we really responded well tonight and played with passion and desire. We played extremely intelligent.
Nick Sobcynski finished off a cross from Scott Alampi in the first half to give the Cougars a 1-0 lead. Grand Blanc tied the game with 14 minutes to play on a tally from Garrett Smith.
That set the stage for Suhajda heroics for the Cougars (4-4-3).
The Cougars shut down the state’s leading Mr. Soccer candidate, Zach Carroll, and kept the Bobcats’ high-powered offense stymied for most of the night. Stoney Creek goalkeeper Grifffin Wright made five saves and came off his line to play several crosses and eliminated multiple scoring threats.
“Griffin really played a good game. It was his ability to make plays on crosses that really made a difference,” said Bican. “They have a great player in Zach Carroll. He’s amazing and wins everything in the air. To keep him contained and to keep them from scoring more than one goal is a testament to the way our boys played. I’m pleased with their effort against a very good team.”
TROY ATHENS 2, PLYMOUTH SALEM 1: Matt Dombrowski and Matt Perkins scored for the Red Hawks Monday in this non-league road win. Dombrowski scored his in the first half, while Perkins netted his marker in the second half to give his team a 2-0 advantage. Sunny Shettigar and Alex Serwatka drew assists for the Red Hawks (3-3-1). Sam Ward and Brett Schmitz combined to make seven saves in the win for Athens. Blake Townes tallied late for Salem.
ROCHESTER 1, NORTH FARMINGTON 1: Michael Bowyer headed in a cornerick from Evan Asuncion for Rochester while Matt Hawes made eight saves for the host Falcons (1-1-4). Jacob Bur scored on a penalty kick for North Farmington (0-5-2).
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