Avondale blanks Fenton to advance to district finals
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
BLOOMFIELD HILLS — For years Auburn Hills Avondale has fielded some very competitive soccer teams. Competing in some tough districts, the Yellowjackets have not had many chances to showcase that talent beyond the district level.
Avondale took another step in that direction Thursday night.
The Yellowjackets scored an early goal and tacked on two more in the second half to advance to Saturday’s Division 2 district final thanks to a 3-0 shutout of Fenton at Bloomfield Hills Lahser.
Avondale (14-5-2) will face district host Lahser at 3 p.m. Saturday for the district title. The Yellowjackets have lost in the district finals multiple times since Mucyznski became coach in 1994 and have only played in the regional round twice in that span.
“We’ve seen them over the year,” said Avondale coach Dave Muczynski, who is in his 18th season, about facing Lahser. “With the boys and girls, we’ve played them before in the tournament. They are a good team, better than what their record says.”
The Yellowjackets have won district titles twice, with those coming in 2007 and 1999. The ’99 squad advanced to the regional finals (Elite Eight) before falling to East Lansing 1-0 in a shootout.
Garrett Ritterhaus scored midway through the first half on an assist from Erik Koberstein. That proved to be the game-winner until the final 20 minutes, when the Yellowjackets scored a pair of goals to put the game away.
Kyle Sroka, who also kicks for the school’s football team, made it 2-0 in the 61st minute when he scored an unassisted goal. Nate Chapman cashed in the third goal five minutes later off a pass from Ritterhaus.
“Fenton is a solid team. They gave us a better battle than (Ortonville) Brandon did in the first round,” offered Muczynski. “They played hard and were skilled. We just took advantage of our (scoring chances).
“We scored early, but then it seemed like the longest time until we scored again,” added Muczynski. “It was close. I think when we scored those two quick goals just a few minutes apart, that took the (wind out of their sails).”
Sophomore Ben Richter, called up to varsity midway through the regular season, notched his fifth shutout, the team’s eighth overall this year, on six saves.
Avondale and Lahser last met in the postseason in the 2005 district finals. Lahser advanced by dispatching Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 5-0 in Thursday’s second district semifinal.
Lahser was last year’s state runner up and have reached the Final Four five times in the past 12 seasons, and have seven district crowns in the past 13 seasons. The Knights were also state runner-up in 2002, state champs in 1999 and state semifinalists in 2004 and 2005.
“We’ll (prepare for them) and see what happens,” added Muczynski.
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Category: Auburn Hills Avondale, High School, High School (M-Z), Prep Wraps
