MIDLAND DOW SCRIMMAGES
On Saturday, August 16th the JV and Varsity teams traveled to Midland-Dow High school to play 4 scrimmages. The Varsity ended the Day defeating Livonia Stevenson 3-2 and DeLaSalle 1-0 while tieing Troy Athens 0-0 and a loss to Birmingham Country Day 0-1.
The JV team ended the day with a loss to Livonia Stevenson 0-1, a tie with Troy Athens 1-1 and wins over DeLaSalle 1-0 and Midland Dow 2-0.
Rockford
Both the JV and Varsity teams started their official season with wins over Rockford. After a 4-1 victory for the JV team, Tommy McCurdy scores the first goal of the Varsity season from an assist from Ryan Brown after a frenzy of shots in the six yard box, smothering the Rockford keeper who finally succumbs to a Portage Central goal. Half time ends with Portage Central up 1-0. After a corner kick from Eric Alexander, Andrew Rice scores with a header into the back of the net for a 2-0 lead.
A penalty kick is later awarded to Rockford after a player is knocked down by a Portage player which ends up being converted into a goal after a diving attempt by Kevin Melotti, that is just out of his reach. Within a minute after Rockford's penalty kick, Tommy McCurdy seals the victory with an incredible break away, that results with a goal. Central wins 3-1.
Forest Hills Central
The Varsity Mustang's had a long trip home after playing Forest Hills Central Tuesday night, suffering a 1-4 loss. First touches were not as clean as they've been in the past and the artificial turf that they were playing on may have been a big factor in the game. The Football/Lacrosse/Soccer field with it's many different lines and colors confused both spectators and players and took some adjustments after the referee reminded players where to take their throw-ins. Forest Hill Central controlled the ball well while the Mustang's worked on adjusting to the conditions. Despite having the wind against them and the son in their eyes in the first half, both teams left the field with the score 0-0.
After 10 minutes of a scoreless second half, Forest Hills scores the first goal of the game at 30:12 and follows it with a second goal just 30 seconds later. Portage hangs tough and is rewarded by a goal from Eric Alexander at 26:24 closing Forest Hills lead to 1-3. The Rangers continue to control the ball, passing and avoiding any Mustang attacks and adding a third goal at 24:28. With 16:04 left in the game, a Forest Hills player manages to cut through the middle of the defense and enters the penalty area while two Mustang players closed in on each side sending all three players to the ground and giving the Rangers a successful PK for a 1-4 final score.
BC Central
The Mustangs claim great victory over the Bearcats. Both teams start off with an enormous amount of energy, but Battle Creek Central couldn't handle the strength of the Mustangs' offense and midfield. Several goals were scored by the Mustangs in the first half, ending at 9 - 0. In the second half, the Mustangs scored twice more before they ended the match with the 'Mercy Rule'. Eric Alexander scored three goals, while Mike Ameluxen, Brandon Galia and Nathan Salemka scored twice apiece. Mike Parke and Brendon Foster also scored, ending the match at 11 - 0.
Portage Northern
Right defender Kyle Lemmermen sent a soaring cross to midfielder Josh Commins on the left side of the field to open up the game with the first goal in the great Central/Northern rivalry. A gorgeous night for playing soccer, this match was a battle to the end with Central coming out on top 3-0.
Defense was a major contributor to the game with a shutout for keeper Kevin Melotti. As is always the case, Northern played a great attacking game with numerous shots that often times went wide or high due to the hard line stance of the defense. Melotti did not leave the field untested. Driving shots from Steve Hecker, Tyler Young and Brent Medema were deflected and caught by first year varsity keeper Kevin Melotti. A shot from a Northern player was just barely deflected off the fingertips of Melotti, sending the ball into the post where Kevin scrambled to collect the ball before passing the goal line and denying Northern a goal and then a corner kick.
The midfield from both teams controlled the game whenever possession was obtained sending opponents scrambling to disposess their rival. After a 1-0 half time lead, Central came out with a more controlled game in the second half, sending Northern into a scramble to score. After a corner kick for Central, Tommy McCurdy followed his own shot and tapped it into the goal to give Central a 2-0 lead, bruising the Northern defense.
Central continued the attack forcing the Huskies into many defensive situations and allowing the Mustangs to score a third goal when Junior Ryan Brown sent Senior David Keyte a volley which Keyte one touched into the back of the net from the 18 yard line, ending the contest in a 3-0 win for Central.
West Ottowa
West Ottowa and Portage Central came out with intesity. Portage seemed a bit slugish and a step behind but still gave West Ottowa a fight. Central fought hard for several minutes before their first goal. A pass was given by Josh Commins to Ryan Brown who placed the ball into the net with extreme skill. Giving Central the needed energy to put away West Ottowa. At the end of the first half, Central led West Ottowa, 1-0. The second half started and Central came out with renewed energy. With constant pressure against West Ottowa, Tommy McCurdy scores another goal for the Mustangs. Later in the match, Eric Alexander plays a ball to Brett Staron, from a free kick, which resulted in a goal. The game ended with Central defeating West Ottowa, 3-0.
Loy Norrix
The game started with complete pressure by the Mustangs on the Knights. Within the first ten minutes of the half, the Knights defense broke and Tommy McCurdy scored after an incredible show of ball skills. Then again a few minutes later Tommy scored again by a pass to the corner by Nate Salemka. The Knights began to lose confidence and the Mustangs continued to push. A throw-in by Nate Salemka, sent Tommy McCurdy down the touch line and again resulted in a goal. Both teams continued to fight but the Knights did so in vain, as Mike Parke sent a through ball from half field to Mike Ameluxen. Who then finished the ball into the back of the net, giving the Mustangs a four point lead. At the end of the first half, Mustangs were leading the Knights, 4 - 0. Both teams began to tire, but the Mustangs stayed strong and scored half way into the second half. A cross was sent into the middle of the penalty box and Josh Commins placed the ball under the keeper and into the goal. The end result of the game was Mustangs defeating the Knights, 5 - 0.
Kalamazoo Central
The game started out well. PC came out strong and began moving the ball around as much as possible. The first goal for PC was scored by a cross from sophmore, Eric Alexander to senior, Brett Staron's head. He placed the ball with skill to the corner of the goal. The 1st half ended and the second half began. The score of the game remained 1-0 throughout the second half but the half was not without excitement. After a 1-0 lead, PC refused to stop there and tallied another point a while after the second half started. The second goal was a pass from sophmore, Eric Alexander to Tommy McCurdy who slammed the ball with power into the back of the net. Halfway into the second half, Tommy McCurdy rushed up the middle of the field and took a shot that was deflected by the KC keeper to Brendon Foster who then placed the ball, for a Mustang score. In the end, the Mustangs once again prevailed, winning 3-0 over the KC Giants.
Holland
The Saturday match between Holland and Central was intense. The teams were ready to have a strong and fierce game. Central started off extremely strong. They forced Hlland to make mistakes that gave central the advantage. Parke, Brown and Alexander stayed strong in the middle to keep Central organized and prepared for the Holland attacks. The team moved the ball fairly well but lost shape in moments of panic created by the quick counter attacks. Central takes the lead in the first half by a beautifully placed ball from Tommy McCurdy to Eric Alexander at the top of the penalty box and put the Mustangs in the lead. Tommy McCurdy, dribbled the ball down the field near the end of the second half and scored only with pure determination; giving the Mustangs another goal. At the end of the half, the Mustangs led the Dutch, 2-0. In the second half, both teams became tired from the hot sun but continued to fight. Holland was determined to score after a defensive let down by the Mustangs. The score was 2-1. They fought and fought until the Dutch couldn't handle the pressure and Tommy McCurdy again scored against the Dutch. The Mustangs leading the Dutch by two goals in the final 10 minutes, began to let down from over confidence, but the Dutch relentlessly pressured. With continue pounding on the Mustang defense, the Dutch broke through and scored. With only a few minutes remaining, Central picked up the pace and denied Holland another goal. The result of the game was, Central victorious, 3-2.
Mattawan
The cool night of the match between Central and Mattawan was quickly heated up by the ferocity of both teams. Central controlled the game and had the advantage. They scored first, with a slot ball from Josh Commins to Nathan Salemka, who was in front of the goal, slipped the ball past the keeper, bringing Central into the lead. There was intense battle for the rest of the first half. The second half started with Central up one goal. Mattawan came out strong to regain their footing. In the final ten minutes of the game, Mattawan scored a goal. Central was winded, while Mattawan was fired up. Central, caught on their heels, fouled a Mattawan player in the box and Mattawan was awarded a penalty kick. Another point was added for Mattawan, who now led Central, 2 - 1. Central tried to tie the game, but were unable to break Mattawan's defense. Central lost to Mattawan, 1 - 2.
East Grand Rapids
The turf that Central had to compete with proved to be difficult, but Central overcame the obstacle. Central obviously dominated the game, with the first goal by Michael Parke. Minutes later in the first half, Mike Ameluxen scored against East Grand Rapids. Central led East Grand Rapids, 2-0. David Keyte had an amazing finish as the ball came towards him, he volleyed the ball from 20 yards out into the back of the net with power. Again in the first half, the Mustangs score, Ryan Brown finishing a loose ball in the box. At the end of the first, the Mustangs led, 4-0. In the second half, East Grand Rapids was able to finish a through ball, after a Mustang defensive break down. But later in the half to finish the game, Tommy McCurdy took a stunning shot from the goal line and managed to put the ball into the back of the net. The final score was, Central, 5, East Grand Rapids, 1.
St. Joe
The cold thursday night at St. Joe, started slow for Central. St. Joe gave Central a hard time throughout the first half. The Mustangs tried to move the ball around, but failed because of the slick grass. The Bears and the Mustangs continually fought until the Mustangs were awarded a PK. Michael Parke took the shot, it went off the left post and into the goal, giving Central the lead. Both teams fought to the very end of the first half. The Mustangs led the Bears, 1-0 at half. In the second half, Central started losing control of the game and lost their composure. The Bears tried many times to capitalize on the weakness of the Mustang offense and midfield, but Central's defense was too much for the Bears to handle. The last ten minutes of the second half, another PK was awarded to the Mustangs. Michael Parke again took the kick and finished the game. With the second goal against the Bears, the Mustangs secured their victory. The Bears never ceased to fight, but the Mustangs were victorious, 2-0.
Grand Rapids Christian
Central and Grand Rapids Christian started their match on a windy saturday afternoon. Central started off strong and in the first three minutes of the match, Josh Commins crossed the ball to Ryan Brown, who placed the ball into the back of the net with a volley. Both teams fought hard until the end of the first half, with Central leading by one. The second half started and within the first ten minutes, Grand Rapids Christian replied to the Central goal, with a score of their own, tieing up the game. Both teams furiously fight until a Grand Rapids Christian's player received the ball on the line and dribbled it into the middle and shot the ball into the net. Grand Rapids Christian led Central, 2-1. Down a point, Central worked hard to come back into the game. Eric Alexander intercepted the ball in the middle of the field and shot from just outside the corner of the penalty box. He shot the ball into the far post and equalized the match at 2-2. With only seconds left in the match, Grand Rapids Christian moved the ball down the field and scored with only five seconds left in the game. The end result was 2-3, Central defeated.
Battle Creek Lakeview
Lakeview and Central played once again on a very cold night. Central moved the ball around very nicely in the start of the first half. Central made Lakeview chase the ball and controlled the game. Central's first goal was by Jimmy L'Esperance as he shot a loose ball in the box. Lakeview down a point, tried harder to win balls and to create oppurtunities, but Andrew Rice, Central's sweeper, denied them many chances to the goal. The second score for Central was a header by David Keyte, after Nathan Salemka split two Lakeview defenders and took a shot to the far corner which hit the cross bar. Both teams fought hard but Central's ball skills, proved to be too much for Lakeview. Ryan Brown, nut-megged a Lakeview defender and dribbled the ball to the top of the penalty box and finished it into the back of the net. Central led Lakeview, 3-0, at the end of the first half. Lakeview came out extremely strong the beginning of the second half and scored within minutes of the whistle. Mike Voss, JV's keeper, was brought up because Kevin Melotti was sick, but stepped in with confidence and excellent skill. There was no other scores in the second half. Central won, 3-1.
Benton Harbor
Several JV players were moved up to play with the Varsity players. The Mustangs mercied Benton Harbor with goals scored by a wide spread of players.
St. Joe
Yet another night of cold weather puts the Mustangs against St. Joe Tuesday and the game started off with the Mustangs going with the wind for kickoff. The Mustangs started off slow and St. Joe put in a goal after three minutes. Both teams fought hard in the wind and the rain. Michael Parke evened the score when the Mustangs were awarded a PK with ten minutes left on the clock. The game was close the first half and the score was 1-1 at half time. Although the score was low, it did not show the actual play of the game. PC was passing the ball well but still making crucial errors that would be certainly exploited against a good team. The Bears were able to take advantage of these errors a few times and got a few shots off on Melotti. The Mustangs came out harder than ever to gain the lead but failed to. The Bears pushed back harder and eventually earned themselves another goal. Later in the half, the Bears scored again and ended the game. The Mustangs worked until the end of the game but still lost, 1-3.
Mattawan
Central and Mattawan played eachother once again at Central. Central started the game slow. Mattawan was unable to capitalize on the early weakness of Central. Both teams fought hard for the entire first half, but only Central was able to score. Josh Commins crossed the ball to the center of the penalty box to Nate Salemka, who was able to beat a defender and put the ball in the back of the net. The score at half time, was 1-0, Central in the lead. The start of the second half was extremely intense. Mattawan came out stronger than ever to equalize the game, but Central's defense was too strong to break through. Late in the second half, Ryan Brown took a free kick and lofted it into the penalty box, where Joey Larkin waited and flicked the ball on, into the net for a Central goal. Central was victorious over Mattawan, 2-0.
