BOYS SOCCER: Athens escapes dreadful district opener to advance; Utica sinks Mott in 2OT
TROY — Halloween is not for another two weeks.
Defending Division 1 state champion already received its big scare of the season Wednesday night — a really big scare.
The Red Hawks, who recently wrapped up their third straight OAA Red Division championship, had to work a double-overtime shift to down Utica Ford, 2-1, in its Division 1 pre-district at the home office.
Two years ago as the top-ranked and undefeated team in D-1, Athens was upset by Ford, 1-0, in the district finals despite a 24-7 shots edge.
Ford could not brew up the same type of magic this time around.
Junior forward Ryan Gruca whipped up the game-winning spell in the second overtime season to lead the Red Hawks, who are two wins away from their 19th district title. His game-winner came in the 97th minute of play off a pass from senior TJ Renaud.
Gruca scored the first goal for Athens (10-2-3) in the 17th minute off an assist from Adrian Lekocaj.
Aiden Leline countered in the 23rd minute for Utica Ford (2-7-2).
Athens will face Sterling Heights Stevenson, a 3-2 winner over West Bloomfield, in the district semifinals next Tuesday at Waterford Mott. The game will be part of a double-header at 5 p.m.
UTICA 2, WATERFORD MOTT 0 (2OT): Utica scored twice in the extra sessions to win this Division pre-district match Wednesday.
Kurt Fleischer and Luke Sumner scored the goals and Abai Daniel and Jaren Goldsmith had the assists for the Chieftains.
Utica improved to 4-9-2 to advance to the district semifinals Tuesday at Mott against the winner of the Troy-Bloomfield Hills pre-district match.
The district semifinals will be at 7 p.m.
Mott finishes 5-7-0.
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