Soccer team starts off slow, ends week with an 8-0 shutout

#11 Junior Anthony Bargardi heads the ball vs Bronson

submitted by Scott Somerville

In their fifth week of competition, the Manchester High Schoo varsity soccer team faced three opponents, starting with the Lenawee Christian School Cougars on Tuesday October 6. Playing at home, the Dutchmen faced a formidable foe and were handed their worst lost of the season, 0-4. The Cougars capitalized on corner kicks, scoring twice and one converted penalty kick for three of their four goals.

On Wednesday, Oct. 7, the Dutch hosted the Bronson Vikings in a closely-contested match that featured great action throughout. The Vikings jumped out to an early lead scoring the first goal. The Dutchmen battled back and tied the match from a senior captain Henry Wehrly goal with 10:15 remaining in the first half. The assist was from junior Grant Tar. Entering halftime, the game was knotted at 1-1.

In the second half, the Vikings scored first for the 2-1 lead. The game was soon tied again after a second goal by Wehrly at the 58 minute mark, with assist by junior Anthony Bargardi. The remaining time in the second half was a back-and-forth possession battle that featured excellent defense by both squads. It appeared that the game would end in a draw until, with 30 seconds left in the match, Wehrly was fouled setting up a free kick for the Dutch. With the ball about 32 yards from the goal, junior Max Edwards made a remarkable strike that caught the underside of the crossbar and went in for the winning goal.

“Knowing that this free kick could win the game, I was nervous.,” said Edwards. “So, I blocked that out and took the best shot I could.” The final score was 3-2 in favor of Manchester.

On Saturday October 10, the Dutchmen traveled to face the Jonesville Comets on a near picture-perfect fall morning. The Dutch wasted no time in this match and jumped out to an early lead with a goal by sophomore Luke Somerville at the 6:30 mark. Assist by Wehrly. From there, the Dutchmen dominated the first half and netted three more goals, two by Wehrly and one goal from sophomore Charlie Monschau-Johnson. Assists by Somerville and Tar (x2).

In the second half, Manchester continued to control the game and scored four more goals: one from senior captain Adam Pringle, one from sophomore Jacob Morin and two from sophomore Tyler Lutton. Assists were from Edwards (x2) and Morin (x2). The final score was 8-0, giving senior captain goalkeeper Griffin VanVuuren the clean sheet.

The week of Oct 12, Manchester will play two games. Monday October 12 will be at home vs. Blissfield at 5:30 pm. The Blissfield game will be senior night, with introductions of the senior class soccer players and family prior to halftime. On Thursday, October 15 at 5:00 pm the Dutch will host Ann Arbor Greenhills for the first round of divisional playoffs.

#8 Senior captain Henry Wehrly is fouled setting up the game winning free kick vs. Bronson

Senior captain goalkeeper Griffin VanVuuren makes a save vs. Bronson (all photos courtesy of Lisa Somerville).

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.