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Athens gains revenge on Chippewa Valley; Rochester advances, Stoney Creek collapses

Dan Stickradt | October 18, 2011 | Comments (1)

BY DAN STICKRADT

SENIOR EDITOR

dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Clinton Township Chippewa Valley opened the season with a 2-0 victory over Troy Athens. The Red Hawks got a shot at redemption as the second season began Monday night.

Athens rallied back from a 1-0 deficit midway through the first half to oust the Big Reds 2-1 in a boys soccer pre-district.

“We beat a very good team and we knew that going in because they beat us in the opener,” recalled first-year Athens coach Todd Heugh. “I think things were a little bit different for us back then. I was a new coach and the guys were still getting used to my (coaching style).We had to break in a new goalie, new defenders, new wide midfielders and we were bringing in a bunch of new players. That took some time. We started the year 2-3-1. I think then we really started to get on a role.”

Sandy Mouch was able to tie the game just before the half on a goal from Max Klitzke.

In the second half, Aaron Gebauer scored with 14 minutes to play off an assist from Matt Dombrowski, which proved to be the game winner for the Red Hawks (12-3-2).

Sam Ward made four saves for the win for Athens, which dropped the opener to Chippewa Valley in late August, 2-0.The Red Hawks are 10-0-1 in their last 11 games.

“I like the way we have been playing as of late,” said Heugh. “I knew that this was going to be a tough game. Chippewa Valley only lost twice in the regular season and both of those games were to (Utica) Eisenhower and Eisenhower gave up two goals this season. Chippewa Valley is a talented team and there was better talent in the MAC Red (Division) this season that people thinks there is.”

Keaton Levock scored 20 minutes into the contest to give Chippewa Valley (12-3-3) the 1-0 lead, blasting in a shot from 25 yards out.

“We didn’t give up a lot of chances, but they scored on a rocket and our goalie made four saves, including two saves,” said Heugh. “I knew this was going to be a good game and we were fortunate enough to finish a couple of our opportunities.”

ROCHESTER 3, HARRISON TOWNSHIP L’ANSE CREUSE 1: Despite peppering the L’Anse Creuse goal throughout the contest, Rochester finally ousted the hosts with two late goals in this Division 1 pre-district game in Harrison Township.

The Falcons held 15-4 shot edge and hit the goal post and crossbar five times in the game. Matt Hawes got the win on three saves for Rochester.

Evan Asucion scored twice, including the game-winner with 15 minutes to go, and Frank Wang also scored for Rochester (6-9-5). Spiro Pilakos notched two assists for the Falcons, who will face Sterling Heights Stevenson at 5 p.m. Wednesday in the district semifinals at Utica.

STERLING HEIGHTS STEVENSON 1, ROCHESTER STONEY CREEK 0: Despite large a shots advantage, Stoney Creek could not get the better advantage of last year’s state runner-up Stevenson.

Nick Martorana scored off an assist from Jerome Cristobal for Stevenson (10-3-4) just four minutes into the second half. Martorana’s goal came from 30 yards out.

Ken Kutschman made 12 saves for the Titans, who will face Rochester at 5 p.m. Wednesday in the district semifinals at Utica.

“I thought we played hard and I thought Stevenson played hard. But it all boils down to it, we didn’t take advantage of our chances,” said Stoney Creek coach Adam Bican. “We had a lot of chances in the game and a lot of cornerkicks. We had a game plan and we did a good job at shutting them down for the most part. We just couldn’t score.”

Stoney Creek (10-7-5) had a flurry of shots and seven first-half cornerkicks. The Cougars even hit the crossbar and goal post in the contest.

Stoney Creek posted a 15-3 shot edge in the contest.

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