Survive and advance: Troy dispatches Adams with 3-1 district win

BY DAN STICKRADT

SENIOR EDITOR

dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com

(Editor’s Note: A photo gallery from this game are available at www.lmckeephotography.com)

TROY — Monday’s conditions were more suitable for flying a kite than for soccer. But for sixth-ranked Troy, the end result was just right.

Troy, the OAA Red Division, defeated Rochester Adams for the second time in six days, topping the Highlanders, 3-1, in a Division 1 boys soccer pre-district contest.

After surrendering a goal in the first minute, the Colts sailed past the Highlanders with three unanswered goals to survive and advance.

Troy coach Brian Zawislak’s team lost to Adams 2-0 back in September before defeating the Highlanders 1-0 just last week. The game started with the Colts facing an early deficit.

CENTER STAGE: Troy's AJ Kalina dribbles the ball over midfield as Rochester Adams' Dylan Knott gives chase during the Colts' 3-1 division 1 pre-district win Monday over the Highlanders. Photo By Larry McKee, www.lmckeephotography.com

“Flashback to the first game,” noted Zawislak, whose team gave up a goal in the first five minutes of the 2-0 loss. “But we had good composure and we did a good job sticking to the game plan and not getting rattled from that. We were able to settle down and come back.”

Troy, which has been a mainstay in the state’s top 10 the past four seasons, has been unable to get past the regional finals in that stretch. The Colts have goals of making a long run this time.

“The goal every year is to get to the state finals,” said senior forward Fillip Buniewicz, who notched a goal in the win. “There’s no difference (this season). We’re really excited. Our senior class has been playing together, not just in club, but for three years here and we’re very connected, very focused. We have a goal in mind. We have to keep it one game at a time. The past few years we came up short.”

Finding itself in an early deficit, Troy countered with a pair of goals on three shots to take a 2-1 lead at the half. The Colts tacked on another goal in the second half to help preserve the win.

Fillip Buniewicz tied it with 29:48 to go in the first half on a nice individual effort, splitting two defenders in the corner of the box before placing a shot inside the far post. AJ Kalina set up the play with a quick through ball.

Troy (16-2-1) took the lead with 25:12 to go in the first half, when Kalina headed home a 40-yard free kick from junior Zach Doepke.

The Colts added an insurance tally when junior Luke Ridenour set up senior Jason Leslie with a breakaway and Leslie chipped the ball over Adams goalkeeper Grant Gibson’s head with 29:37 to play.

“We beat a very good team tonight,” smiled Leslie. “We knew it was going to be a great game with them. We have a goal of going a long ways this season, but we also know that you have to take it one game at a time.”

Adams (8-6-5) scored first when Dylan Knott sent a through ball over to Alex Tzonev and Tzonev uncorked a 30-yard laser that swirled into the upper 90 of the net just 17 seconds into the contest. The Highlanders couldn’t maintain the early momentum.

Down 2-1, Adams had a chance to claw back into the game, when Tzonev clanked a Knott cross of the crossbar with 29:55 left to go.

Both teams traded off nine shots in the game, including five shots apiece on frame.

“That’s the playoffs,” offered Adams coach Josh Hickey. “Either you win it or you don’t. You come out with that intensity the whole game or you don’t. I felt like we had some lapses where we gave them too much room and they scored two goals. You fall behind, and it’s hard to come back from that. We didn’t take advantage of some areas I think we should have.”

HIGH ABOVE: Rochester Adams' Dylan Knott gets his head on the ball as Troy defender David Eicher gives a little shove during Monday's Division 1 pre-district contest. Photo by Larry McKee, www.lmckeephotography.com

Troy, which has yielded only nine goals in 19 games this season, will play at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the district semifinals at home against Waterford Mott, which advanced with a 3-2 shootout win Monday over West Bloomfield.

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Category: High School, High School (M-Z), Prep Wraps, Rochester Adams, Troy