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District Champs 20022016 SeasonThe Lakers hosted Concord Academy from Boyne in their opening games of the season. The Lakers got off to a slow start and could not find the net even though they had numerous chances in the first half. A late goal on an indirect kick by Aaron Riggs got the Lakers on the board for a 1-0 halftime lead. In the second half the scoring increased with Aaron notching another goal and assisting on both goals by Gabe Kromer. The final score was 4-0.This year's team is very young and will need time to play and practice together to develop a true "team" feel to the season. Defensively, the Lakers were solid.Game #2 with Concord Academy saw the Lakers more aggressive and they were able to finish around the net. Three quick goals saw the Lakers gain a big lead and they were up 5-0 at the half. In the second half Concord Academy found the net on the short side and another goal on a penalty kick after a handball in the box. The Lakers extended their lead and finished with a late goal to win 10-2Aaron Riggs was again the scoring leader with 4 goals and 1 assist. Gabe Kromer had 3 goals and Nick Davis had 2 goals. Gabe Hepker rounded out the scoring with 1 goal, his first! The defense did another fine job and Christian Styburski was solid again goal.The first games of the NLL saw the Lakers travel to Hannahville for games. The long trip to Escanaba found the Lakers down 2-0 early. Aaron Riggs got the Lakers on the board on a long kick. Hannahville came right back and scored within a few seconds of the kickoff to make it 3-1. The Lakers took about 10 seconds to score on their kickoff and a wild first half ended with the Lakers down 3-4. The second half saw the defense step up and deny the Soaring Eagles when they tried to find the net. Offensively the Lakers found some energy and their legs and scored 4 goals to make the final 7-4. Aaron Riggs had 3 goals and two assists. Gabe Kromer 2 goals and an assist and Nick Davis and Trevor Pereny each had one goal.The Saturday game was mixed with rain and some light wind. The field was wet but each team seemed to handle the conditions well. The Lakers, inspired by their Friday win, opened up the scoring with Dominic Morse punching one in on a cross from Aaron Riggs. Aaron score a goal to put the team up 2-0 at the half. The second half had the rain stop for the most part and Hannahville played well. A goal midway through the half tightened the game. Aaron scored on a direct kick after a handball just outside the box. A late goal by Hannahville on a corner kick in the last minute made the final 3-2. A hustling defense helped the Lakers secure the win. Gabe Hepker, Chris Riggs, T.J. Massaway and Albert Mosley did a great job in support of Christian Styburski in goal. The Lakers are now 4-0 on the season.The Lakers played a good Munising Baptist team and came away with a surprising 6-0 win. The Lakers controlled the ball on the defensive and offensive ends of the field which helped set up quality scoring chances. Marchelle Kepple scored for the Lakers in the first half on some nice moves just outside the box. Gabe Kromer scored in the second half and the defense held the opponent scoreless. Christian Styburski was solid in goal and the back row continues to provide the support needed to help our goalie post the shutout.The Lakers played Munising Baptist again on their home field and the Bobcats came out fired up! The host team continuously won the ball and kept the Lakers on their heals. The first half ended in a 0-0 tie. The second half started the same way until Aaron Riggs found the net from out front to put the Lakers in the lead. Munising fought back and scored the equalizer and the second half ended at 1-1. Munising Baptist had a good chance with a few minutes to go but a header went just over the crossbar. In overtime, Aaron dribbled through the defense in the 3rd minute and found the net from right in front and the defense held up for the 2-1 OT win.A non-league contest against NMCA in the rain found the Lakers on the short end of an 0-6 score and their first loss of the season. The Lakers did play well but were outplayed by a lone scorer from the home team. The Lakers hope to bounce back with games next week.Paradise came to the island for a game and were shorthanded to start with only 9 players. The host team played with 9 players also to make the sides fair but the Lakers scored often in the 8-0 win. Many of the younger players were able to get more field time and play on offense in the win.The Lakers hosted Beaver Island for the final home matches of the season on 10/7 & 8. Beaver Island came in undefeated and remained that way after 6-2 & 2-1 wins. The visitors had great teamwork and ball movement in both games and kept the Lakers away from the ball by controlling the game at midfield. Aaron Riggs was able to find the net on two goals on Friday. Both goals came on direct kicks from 30 yards out. On Saturday, Gabe Kromer kicked in a rebound off the post to get the Lakers close but they could not find the net to even the score. The Lakers will go into the tournament as the #2 seed and hope to get back to the finals and another game against Beaver Island.The Northern Lights League tournament was held this year at Paradise and the Lakers played Munising Baptist in the first round. The Bobcats scored an early goal one minute into the contest which seemed to wake up the Lakers. Dominic Morse scored just before the half and after another Munising goal in the second half, Aaron Riggs scored on a penalty kick to make the final 2-2. In the tournament there is no overtime just a shootout. Dominic, Gabe Kromer, Aaron, Christian Styburski were all successful on their kicks. When Christian watched the ball go wide on the Bobcat's 4th kick it came down to Nick Davis who knocked his in for the final 5-3 on penalty kicks.The Lakers then moved on to the championship game against Beaver Island. The Islanders had beaten them twice in the previous weekend games. Aaron Riggs once again found the back of the net from just outside the box to put the Lakers in the lead. A second goal by Aaron, assisted by Trever Pereny early in the second half gave the Lakers a cushion. Dominic Morse found the net off the left side of the field and put it in the upper right hand corner for a 3-0 lead. The Islanders fought back and scored inside the last 8 minutes but the defense held up and the Lakers won 3-1 to become the NLL tournament champions for 2016!2015 SeasonThe Lakers hosted Whittemore Prescott in their season opener on Friday, 8/21 and posted a 6-0 win. Aaron Riggs started the scoring with a shot from just outside the box. The Lakers continued with goals by Peyton Waaso assisted by Tyler Pereny and then Tyler scored 3 goals before the half to make it 5-0.In the second half the Lakers played great defense and scored on a corner kick from Peyton to Aaron Riggs for the final 6-0 score.Game #2 The Lakers struggled with their Saturday morning game against the Cardinals and found themselves in a 0-0 tie at the half. Whittemore Prescott played an inspired game. The Lakers broke the ice in the 72nd minute on an indirect kick from Chris Riggs that Peyton Waaso was able to control in the box at beat the goal keeper for the only score of the game. The Lakers are now 2-0 on the young season. Christian Styburski did an excellent job in goal.Game #3 The Lakers hosted Concord Academy on 8/24 and posted a 7-0 win. Tyler Pereny was again on target with 3 goals. Other scores were by Aaron Riggs, Nick Davis, Gabriel Kromer and Peyton Waaso. Christian Styburski recorded the shutout in goal.Game #4 On 8/25 the Lakers were again successful with a 6-0 win against Concord Academy. Sarah Simpson scored her first career goal late in the game. The Lakers are now 4-0 on the season.Game #5 The first Northern Lights League game against Hannahville was on 9/3 with the Lakers hosting the Soaring Eagles. Hannahville came out strong and scored a 3-0 shutout win. Christian Styburski was good in goal but the Eagles had numerous chances and were able to find the net three times. The Lakers had a few chances but the Hannahville goalie and their defensive backs played an inspired game to hold the Lakers scoreless.Game #6 The Lakers played a better game but were again shutout by Hannahville this time by a 2-0 score. The Lakers had chances and had shots go off the post by Peyton Waaso and Nick Davis and Tyler Pereny had a shot just go over the crossbar. Aaron and Chris Riggs did an excellent job at the defensive end keeping the score low. The Lakers hope to rebound next week when they travel to Grand Marais.Game #7 On 9/11 the Lakers traveled to Grand Marais for another Northern Lights League match-up. The Lakers were short-handed missing 3 starters (family obligations) but were up for the challenge. Aaron Riggs scored first for the Lakers, on a pass from Sarah Simpson, on a hard curving shot into the left corner midway through the first half. After a Polar Bear goal it was again Aaron scoring on a direct kick just outside the 18 yard box to make the score 2-1 at the half. In the second half the Polar Bears scored two early goals to take the lead. The Lakers kept working hard and Peyton Waaso scored the tying goal, assisted by Simpson, with a shot to the right corner. About ten minutes later, Nick Davis found an opening on a pass from Sarah Simpson and beat the goaltender for the final 4-3 score.Game #8 The Saturday game found the Lakers down two more starters due to injuries and the young team battled but could not hold off the team from Grand Marais. The Lakers had a few chances to score but only found the net once on a nice move by Peyton Waaso in the second half that beat the goalie to the right side. The final score was 5-1, but the young Lakers that did play gained some valuable experience that will only help our team in the future!Game #9 The Lakers battled a tough Munising Baptist team while still missing injured players. The Bobcats scored early to take a two goal lead at the half. The Lakers found the net with Aaron Riggs blasting a shot from the right corner of the box that beat the goalie. After another Bobcat score, Tyler Pereny pushed a shot in the right corner to make the final score 3-2 in favor of Munising Baptist. The Lakers are off for a week before traveling to Munising for a rematch.Game #10 The well rested Lakers struck early when a pass through the goal area found the foot of Peyton Waaso who punched it in during the first minute of the game. The game was sloppy but the Lakers held tough in the first half to finish up 1-0. Midway through the second half the Lakers lit the scoreboard again on a give and go from Peyton to Tyler Pereny. That goal stood up for a final score of 2-0. The Laker defense worked hard and Christian Styburski kept the ball out of the net. There was one close call but a shot off the post was gathered in before anyone could punch it in the net.Game #11 The Lakers traveled to Beaver Island for a Northern Lights League weekend of games with the Islanders. The team came out strong and scored often as they worked hard on both offense and defense. Tyler Pereny started the scoring with a nice move down the center of the field. Peyton Waaso had the next goal on a long pass from Tyler that she was able to run down and shoot past the on-coming goal keeper for a score. After another goal by Tyler, Aaron Riggs found the net from the far right side of the field to finish the half leading 4-2. The second half found more goals for the Lakers. Peyton scored off a long throw-in by Aaron and beat the goalie on a quick kick. Tyler finished off the night with two more goals for the final score of 7-3. Beaver Island had many chances in the second half but were only able to find the net once thanks to the defense of the Lakers.Game #12 The Saturday game saw an inspired Beaver Island team jump out to a early lead with a goal from right in front of the box. The Lakers responded with a goal by Tyler Pereny with a nice pass from Peyton to even the score. Nick Davis found the net after taking a pass from Tyler and scored in the right corner. The half ended 2-2. The second half had the Lakers with scoring chances. Tyler found the net again with an assist from Peyton and then scored after a few nifty moves right outside the box to make the final score 4-2. Special mention goes to Gabe Hepker who cleared a ball right in front of the goal before an Islander could get to it. The defense played a nice game clearing the ball and getting it up field. Molly Tokarz took an especially hard hit, running into a much bigger Islander in the second half. The Lakers will now host the NLL tournament next weekend.The Lakers hosted the NLL tournament on Saturday, October 17th. The weather was a brisk 40 degrees but with little wind and some sunshine early it made for a great day. In the semi-finals, the Lakers were the #3 seed and faced the #2 seeded Munising Baptist. They split games with Munising losing 3-2 and winning 2-0 earlier in the season. The Lakers got off to a good start scoring on a goal by Tyler Pereny from in front of the goal box. That goal was followed by one by Peyton Waaso, assisted by Tyler, to put the score at 2-0 at the half. Gabe Kromer found the net from the right side midway through the second half. After a goal by Munising Baptist, Tyler scored again on a direct kick, curving the ball into the top right corner from 30 yards out. The defense of Chris Riggs and Gabe Hepker clearing the ball in front of the net to help out goalie Christian Styburski seal the win.In the finals, the Lakers faced Hannahville which defeated them twice early in the year 3-2 and 2-0. The game was very well played with Hannahville having some good chances in the first half only to have Christian come up big in goal to save some great scoring chances. The first half the Lakers had a couple of good chances, one by Gabe Kromer from in front on a pass from Peyton. The Lakers were unable to find the net and the half ended 0-0. The second half had few scoring chances with both teams playing well. The Soaring Eagles were able to find the net on a corner kick with the ball kicked around a number of times in the goal mouth before finding the net in the left corner. The game ended 1-0 in favor of Hannahville but the Lakers played and represented themselves well. The Lakers finished as Northern Lights League Tournament Runner-Ups. The overall record for the Lakers this year was 9-5. Tyler Pereny led the Lakers in goals with 25, Peyton had 9 and Aaron Riggs 8. Peyton led the team in assists with 9 and Christian Styburski gave up only 22 goals on 178 shots in 14 games.2014 SeasonThe Lakers started out the season with wins over Concord Academy and Whittemore Prescott. The Lakers are now 4-0 and have given up only one goal. We have had 6 different players score so far this year.
2013 Season
Lakers vs. Hannahville 20 & 21st Sept2012 LOSS
Aaron was out by injury.
At 3-0, Hannahville popped one over Colton’s head – touched it, but it tipped into the net. An accidental kick bought Hannahville a free kick, which Colton deftly caught. As rain began to roll though,Molly took a sharp ball to the face, but shook it off. Umbrellas opened among the spectators. Lakers hustled wet as well as they did dry. Christian had a chest-bumping duel with #15. With seconds left, TyPe kicked a long one that looked good from the stands, but went over the net.
In the second half,Will brought it down the field for a shot on Hannahville. The rain stopped. Hannahville’s defense continued to stymie the Lakers. The rain returned. An illegal throw was called on the Lakers. Hannahville then made their second goal, followed quickly by their third, with Colton dropping down on it just a breath too late. Tied up 3-3, a booming voice called out from the Hannahville stand, “It’s a whole new game now!” It seemed to be: the ball grew a new home ground on Laker’s end of the field. Defense seldom got that slippery-wet ball down to the proper end of the field. Colton had his hands on the ball three times. Hallee struggled to bring it to our forwards, tumbling once over a Hannahville player. Hannahville chinked in another into the corner from a fairly long shot. For the first time, Lakers were behind. Will took two shots on goal, but didn’t score. Hannahville’s fifth goal slipped in. Lakers were allowed a kick, and Hannahville’s coach received a warning about his mouth. Gabe H and TyPe showed real hustle. The game turned into a lengthy scuffle in the far left corner. Will, when he took shots, seemed to be taking them from too great a distance. A good catch by Colton. Christian visibly injured his knee a minute before the game ended 3-5.
Lakersvs. Grand Marais 13 & 14Sept 2012 LOSSFriday lost,3-1. Saturday’s game was quite close, ending 6-4.
Lakersvs. Paradise 6 Sept 2013 WINFollowing a sprinkling and under threatening skies, Lakers faced off Paradise. After several good saved by Paradises’ goalie, Peyton Waaso made the first goal of the game. TyPe made the second. Colton wasn’t getting much action in front of the goal as Will threaded the needle through the Rockets to make our third goal.
Lakers vs. Grand Marais 13 & 14 Sept 2012 LOSSFriday lost 3-1. Saturday’s game was quite close, ending 6-4. Lakers kept up with them until the end. Grand Marais had a great defense.
Lakersvs. Paradise 6 Sept 2013 WINFollowing a sprinkling and under threatening skies, Lakers faced off Paradise. After several good saved by Paradises’goalie, Peyton made the first goal of the game. TyPe made the second. Colton wasn’t getting much action in front of the goal as Will threaded the needle through the Rockets to make our third goal. For a long while, neither team came close. Several shots were taken on Colton, but almost all went wild. Rockets often lettheir ball get far ahead of them when advancing on a goal.
A sharp pass to Peyton close by almost made the fourth, and for a long while neither team came close. Several shorts were taken on Colton, but almost all went wild. TheRockets often let their ball get fall ahead of them when advancing on goal. Will passed to Hallee, but the shot was blocked. Their #15 seemed to be half their team, fighting to gain control of the ball and then finding no one had moved into position to receive a pass. Colton hopped up to make an excellent stop. Will made the fourth goal, a deceptive shot for the spectators as it passed through a hole in the net and appeared behind it.
After half time, Kyle made the fifth goal. Peyton quickly followed with a very good shot and made our sixth goal. Paradise remained without a score. Hallee made an up-close shot-on-goal, but it went over the net. TyPe made our seventh goal. Toward the end of the game Hallee made two in a row.
2011 SeasonLakers vs. Paradise, Sat., 10 September 2011 L WINThe Lakers won 7-2. Paradise's defenders were good, but they lacked offense. They had a couple of nice, well-deserved goals. Peyton made two goals. JoRo blocked one kick almost blind with the sun in his eyes, catching it one-handed up high.
Lakers vs. Paradise, Fri., 9 September 2011 L WINThe Lakers mercied Paradise 8-0 just one minute before the end of the second half, with AuRu kicking the final score. Paul kicked the seventh goal in ricocheting off the goalie's back. While JoRo didn't get much exercise, he made an exceptional one-handed save late in the second half. The Mackinac Island crowd also gave applause to the Paradise goalie for a great save in the second half. A trip gave Paradise a free kick, but they were unable to carry it through. AuRu and WiBW both scored three times; JuAc scored once.
2010 SeasonLakers vs. Concord Academy, Fri-Sat., 26-27 August 2011 L WINSThe Lakers began their season with double wins against Concord. Concord's soccer team is new, just beginning its second year on the field.
Stats for 2010 Season:Goals
Assists
Saves
Todd Fridline 9
Tyler Joseph 3
AuRu 2
Taylor Hopkins 2
Collin Armstrong 1
AuRu 2
Taylor Hopkins 2
Tyler Joseph 1
DiDu 1
Todd Fridline 1
PaWa 1
AuRu 73
Collin Armstrong 11
JerHep 6
Taylor Hopkins 5
Lakers vs. Hannahville, Fri-Sat., 22-23 October 2010 L LOSS
The Lakers played Hannahville, which is west of Escanaba. The drive took over three hours, and both legs of the journey and both games will take place in the space of one long day. Hannahville scored their first goal in under a minute, and their second goal followed soon after, eventually making eight goals. ToFri had the Laker's one goal (He has made the first or only goal in three of the last four games). One of their students received a yellow card for excessive celebration, but Island students actually appreciated his back flips.
Lakers vs. Beaver Island, Fri-Sat., 15-16 October 2010 LOSSThe Lakers flew to Beaver Island on Friday and returned Saturday after having lost both games. ToFri made the only goal Friday. Although he was goalie, Colton Fisher made a goal on the Saturday game, assisted by AuRu. DiDu was hit in the face; it was her last game this season. They lost 2-1 in the last two minutes of the game.
Lakers vs. Munising Baptist, Tuesday Afternoon, 12 October 2010 WINAuRu scored about two minutes into the game, then ToFri and Tyler Joseph scored. Munising Baptist failed to score. The game was played during school hours. See the pre-game story in the Town Crier.
Lakers vs. Grand Marais, Saturday Morning, 2 October 2010 LOSSAfter a scoreless defeat Friday afternoon, the Lakers gave up one early in the first half Saturday morning. The fans saw quite a bit of individual effort, but not enough coordination, not enough passing and not enough communication (Well, enough yelling, but not enough communication.) Grand Marais was also very fast, and we were missing a few players (hopefully to return next week). Great effort was shown by many of the younger players PeWa, JeHe, and KySh should be mentioned. It was cold, inspiring old-timers to reminisce about the days when the team played at Mission Point by the water.
ToFr scored the first goal, as clean as though it were on an open net. TaHop and AuRu crowned our offensive efforts, with AuRu taking an excellent shot on goal just before halftime.
In the second half, TaHop got in good kicks in the right direction, but they weren’t passes. Defense kept up their end, dominated by Tyler Joseph and assisted by JuA and others. There was a nice catch by Colton Fisher.
Later, Colton Fisher made a great reach for a shot, but it was just too high, bringing the score to 1-5. The next shot on our goal was also high, ricocheting upwards from the top bar of the net frame. AuRu and TaHop made shots on goal, but had too much distance to be effective. PeWa was good at stops. ToFri made a great shot on goal, but it was caught.
Once again, as in the last home game, not a single non-playing Laker would volunteer for ball boy, and the superintendent had to fill in on one side, while on the other Bob Lohff played ball boy with one hand, and held tot Stevie in the other. All this while more than a half-dozen Lakers just sat, lounging around. Shame!
The game ended in defeat for the Lakers, but individuals seemed to be putting forth the effort - it just looked like they were individuals and we were up against a team.
Lakers @ Munising, Monday, September 27, 2010 WIN
The team reported the following: Their field is alongside an airfield, and it's rough and full of holes. It's difficult to tell where the ball is going to go. It's a long drive. TaHo scored twice and Collin Armstrong scored once, leaving the score at 3-2.
Lakers vs.
The game was marked by few scores and few calls, but even more so by strong winds. The Lakers began shooting downwind, which helped them keep it on the right side of the field for most of the first half. AuRu and TaHop worked offense with help from PeWa, DiDu, and JeHep, but ToFri scored the first and only goal during gameplay. With Colton Fisher in the net and DeHu showing a strong defense, the Lakers kept it at 1-1.
With the switch in the second half,
As the half wore on, the Sun came out but the wind never let up. DeHt’s high kicks should have returned the ball to enemy territory, but the wind would catch it and bring it down short of the half line. DiDu and ToFri showed hustle, but all the Lakers’ efforts couldn’t get the ball into the net: the Lakers suffered other problems than just the wind. Forwards repeatedly failed to coordinate with the forward ball handler. ToFri would carry it up the right side only to find his teammates had hung back and he had no one to pass it to. Other times, AuRu passed it forward only to find he was the most forward player.
On defense,
The Lakers and NWA went into overtime with a score of 1-1, with the Lakers’ net still downwind. Now the wind actually increased. Thick, dark clouds blew roared in and the sunshine was gone that so briefly warmed the second half. The rushing of the trees dwarfed the voices on the fields and in the stands. The Lakes got the ball into the Northwest goalie’s hands twice. Colton Fisher repelled a shot on the Lakers’ goal with a short, sharp kick. ToFri bypassed his blocker with a tricky head butt, but when he got to the end, he found once again himself alone. DeHu’s defensive kicks were now only getting a quarter down the field. Northwest bounced one off the Lakers’ net frame with a loud “clink,” but overtime ended without a score on either side.
In the second overtime, nets were switched, and the Lakers were again kicking downwind. DeHt stopped a good kick on goal with a painful face-block. AuRu once more began showing the speed and aggression for which the he’s been known. TaHop brought a splendid shot on goal, AuRu tried kicking one into the wind ahead of the goal, and the wind almost brought it in. However, the second overtime ended without score and brought on the shootout with AuRu in net. AuRu and ToFri both made shootout scores, but Northwest made three and the game was lost. There was no Saturday morning game.
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