Boys varsity soccer advances to Regionals

What happened: Last night the Buccaneer varsity soccer team battled against the Jenison Wildcats in the first post season game of the season. Grand Haven came out with a great amount of energy due to the huge student section up in the stands and motivation to play well at their last game in the home stadium. Junior midfielder Mac Mahacek took that energy into his own hands midway through the first half by rocketing a shot into the back of Jenison’s goal. The Wildcats were able to even up the game late in the second half when there was a miscommunication on Grand Haven’s defense which lead to Jenision capitalizing off a corner kick. After a couple of key saves from goalkeeper Garrison Mast and a competitive second half, regulation time ran out with the scoreboard reading 1-1. In postseason play overtime consists of two ten minute halves. After a scoreless first half in overtime, the Bucs came out in the second half with a mindset: to advance in the playoffs. With four minutes left, senior David Krapohl lofted a free kick into the box to connect with junior Drew Van Andel for a game winning header. Then on Saturday, Oct. 24, the Bucs traveled to Grandville for the Division 1 District Championship where they faced off against the Bulldogs. After a scoreless first half, junior Ethan King put one in off an assist from junior Luke Staskiewicz with 3 minutes remaining in the game. The Bucs defeated the Bulldogs 1-0 taking the District Championship for the fifth year in a row and moving on to Regionals.

They said it: “In the second half of overtime we were really offensive minded and were trying to avoid a penalty shoot out as much as possible,” Van Andel said. “Coach Dean told us that this is what we’ve been working towards all season and to just go out and work for it.”

Key player: Krapohl has been the go-to player on the team for free kicks all season long. He has connected with Van Andel multiple times throughout the year for goals and did that yet again in this district playoff game. Krapohl’s ability to loft the ball in the air at great distances is what makes him so talented in this area, and what also got him the assist on the game winning goal last night.

Up next: On Tuesday the Bucs will face off against the Portage Northern for the first round of Regionals. The game will be held at East Kentwood and starts at 5 p.m.

Record: Grand Haven’s overall record is now 14-4-2. Their record in the O-K Red conference is now 9-2-1.