Back on top: Faith Baptist rallies past Rochester Hills Christian for MACS soccer title

BY DAN STICKRADT

SENIOR EDITOR

dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com

CLARKSTON — Three days after unseating defending state champions Troy Bethany Christian from its throne, Davison Faith Baptist proved that it was no fluke on the soccer pitch on the 2011 season’s final day.

The Eagles won their fourth Michigan Association of Christian Schools Division I state title in six years Saturday, as third-ranked Faith Baptist toppled unranked Rochester Hills Christian, 2-1, for the state title at Clarkston Springfield Christian.

Davison Faith (11-3-3) lost in the finals to Troy Bethany Christian last season, 2-0, before upsetting the favored Bruins, 2-1, in a shootout last Wednesday in the MACS semifinals. The Eagles had to rally with two goals in the final 20 minutes Saturday to earn their ninth overall MACS title, including six in the past decade.

“I thought that we really started to put it together at the end of the year,” said Faith Baptist coach Mike Knakel. “We still had a large team with (seven) seniors and a lot of these guys played in the state finals last season. When we beat Troy, I thought we’d have a good chance.”

The victorious Eagles had to come from behind against a team making its first finals appearance in 18 years. In fact, at a preseason tournament in August, Davison Faith Baptist mercied Rochester Hills Christian, 8-0.

It was much closer this time around.

LAST TEAM STANDING: Davison Faith Baptist junior Jason Stebbins and the Eagles rallied past Rochester Hills Christian, 2-1, Saturday for the Michigan Association of Christian Schools Division I boys soccer state title. File Photo | Dan Stickradt

“I thought we played a great game. They just came on strong the last 20 minutes,” said Rochester Hills Christian coach Jerry Slota, a starting goalkeeper on Rochester Hills’ first MACS title team in 1989. “I am pleased with this team because they came a long ways this season and nobody thought we’d be playing in the championship game. We had a young team, half which were sophomores. Last year we had nine seniors and had to replace most of our starting lineup. So this group came a very long ways just in the past couple of months. Most our losses came early in the season.”

Rochester Hills Christian had to pull two upsets in a row against top-five teams just to make it to the final round. The young Eagles almost pulled off the tournament hat trick.

After a scoreless first half, Rochester Hills Christian (10-8-1) converted first when sophomore Jesse Montgomery scored seven minutes into the second half. Nathan Simon’s cross into the box was directed into the net by Montgomery.

The lead stood until the 60^th minute, when Davison Faith senior Ethan Moore corralled a pass from sophomore Nick Tungl and blasted home the game-tying goal from 15 yards out.

Junior Robert Slayton netted the game-winner with 10 minutes to play, as he scored from 16 yards out off a touch pass from senior Zoren Rierson.

Davison Faith staved off some tense moments down the stretch, as Rochester Hills Christian nearly tied the game in the 79^th minute. Another Simon cornerkick into the box bounced around in front of the goal, but Montgomery’s shot was deflected wide by a Faith Baptist defenseman and knocked out of harm’s way.

“That was close. They almost tied it up with about a minute and a half left,” admitted Knakal. “We were fortunate there.

“I am pleased with this team, with their character and hard work,” added Knakal. “We have a great tradition here. I was part of a couple of state championships in the late 1990s. I know what it’s like (to win it). It was nice to see this group experience the same thing.”

Junior Austin Brantley made five saves in goal of Davison Faith Baptist. Sophomore Jared Brown made 10 stops for Rochester Hills Christian, which upset top-ranked Vassar Juniata Christian, 2-0, in the semifinals and 2009 state runner-up Temperance Stateline Christian, 3-1, in the quarterfinals.

The unranked Eagles last played in a MACS title game in 1993, where they finished second. Rochester Hills Christian won four straight MACS state titles from 1989-1992.

“The guys now see what I have been preaching to them, that hard work will get you there,” said Slota. “We will return most of our team next season, so we hope to make another run at it next year.”

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