Nothing for granted: Lancers hope to turn tables after being upset victim
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
AUBURN HILLS — Drew Perrin remembers the sweet taste of success.
As a freshman at Auburn Hills Oakland Christian, Perrin was a part of the Lancers’ run to the Division 4 boys soccer state championship in 2008 — the Lancers’ first state title in the sport.
The Lancers defeated Muskegon Catholic Central, 1-0, for the state crown and Perrin was one of four freshmen on that team that season but the only one that was a regular starter.
Oakland Christian, as strange as it sounds, might have had more talent the past two years but could not advance out of the regionals. In fact, Oakland Christian has logged a lot of weeks in the top 10 during the past two decades but has only won a single state championship (2008) with one state runner-up (2007).
Two years ago, Oakland Christian was upset by Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett (2-1) in the regional finals despite a No. 3 state ranking. Last season was even worse, as the Lancers entered the regional semifinals at home against unranked Southfield Christian but were upset 2-0 despite outshooting the Eagles.
MOVING FORWARD: Auburn Hills Oakland Christian junior midfielder Chris Polite has been one of the many reasons why the Lancers have continued thier success in boys soccer, which includes six straight district championships and six Final Four runs in 18 years. Staff Photo | Dan Stickradt
Two counter attack goals with the wind was enough for Southfield Christian to pull one of the biggest upsets in recent D-4 tournaments. Oakland Christian was ranked No. 1 in the state virtually the whole season and entered the Southfield Christian with a lofty 19-1-0 record and a star-studded team that included a Mr. Soccer candidate.
“We do remember that loss,” said Perrin, a senior sweeper and a returning All-State First Team honoree. “I think we got caught looking too far ahead last season. We should have never lost that game. I guess we can learn from last year. Just because you have a really good record and high ranking, there are a lot of teams that can beat you.”
This season the Lancers finished third of eight schools in the ever-tough Michigan Independent Athletic Conference Blue Division, which features numerous D-4 state powers, posting a 10-4-0 record in league play. Oakland Christian is 17-4-1 overall with eight shutouts this season.
“Our conference is always tough. Look at how many teams we have ranked right now — ranked every year,” said Oakland Christian coach Caleb Combs. “We’ve seen a lot of very good teams. We’re hoping that will help us in the tournament this year.
“I think the boys learned a valuable lesson last season,” continued Combs, who is in his third season as head coach with the Lancers. “
Perrin has anchored the back line this season, along with first-year goalkeeper Luke Combs, the coach’s younger brother. Senior Spencer Hodges and Josh Miller and junior Chris Polite have been key in the midfield, while seniors Brandon Delekta and Clifford Baxter and sophomore John Van Noord have added some offensive pop at forward.
“We’re not as high scoring as last season, but I think we’re a lot better balanced,” said Coach Combs. “Last year when we had Caleb Stanko, he scored a lot of goals or had a ton of assists. I think at times the guys we’re looking for Caleb to do too much. Every team we played (marked) him. This year we’ve spread the scoring out a lot more. We have 4-5 guys that have a decent amount of goals.”
The Lancers have enjoyed plenty of success in the past two decades in the postseason, dating back to its first Final Four run in 1993. That season the Lancers lost to a loaded Riverview Gabriel Richard squad 3-1 in the semifinals.
A consistent top-10 team ever since, Oakland Christian has won seven league titles, 11 district championships and six regional crowns along with six Final Four appearances, one state runner-up and one state title in the past 20 years.
Even with that impressive resume, Perrin is quick to remind that a team is only as good as its performance on the field.
LEADING THE MATCH: Auburn Hills Oakland Christian senior sweeper Drew Perrin is a fourth-year starter and a returning All-StateFirst Team player who had kept the Lancers in the state'stop 10 all four years he has been in high school.Staff Photo | Dan Stickradt
“We have to show up and play well. If we don’t, some team will beat us,” noted Perrin, who has helped the Lancers win district titles all four years he’s been at the school. “This year we need to show up and play to the best of our ability. We don’t have a bunch of stars.”
With three straight shutout victories in the postseason, the Lancers will face off with first-time district winner Marlette at 4 p.m. at Oakland Christian, the same site as last year’s debacle, in the D-4 regional semifinals. On the other half of the bracket are Lansing Christian and No. 5 Saginaw Valley Lutheran (20-2-0), which square off at 4 p.m. Wednesday in the second regional semifinal.
The regional finals are set for 11 a.m. Saturday.
“Our goal is to get back (to the state semifinals),” said Perrin. “We should have the past two years. If we play well, then we have as a good of chance as anybody.”
SUCCESS IN RECENT YEARS
STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 2008
STATE RUNNER-UP: 2007
STATE FINALS APPEARANCES: 2007, 2008
FINAL FOUR APPEARANCES: 1993, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008
REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS: 1993, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008
DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIPS: 1993, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 1993, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2008, 2010
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Category: Auburn Hills Oakland Christian, Featured Articles, High School, High School (M-Z), Prep Wraps
