The Glen Lake boys soccer team opened up the season at an invitational in down in Hart over the weekend.
In the first game, GL beat eventual tournament champions Brooklyn Columbia Central 3-2. Sawyer Homa led the way with two goals and an assist. Ollie O’Neil had a goal and an assist and Ezra Belanger tallied an assist as well.
“We practiced a lot of set pieces and we used a lot of that in the game,” Belanger said.
Anthony Forton notched eight saves in net.
Glen Lake lost the second game to Hart 5-2.
Homa scored both goals while Belanger and O’Neil had the assists. Forton had five saves in the second game.
Glen Lake beat Pentwater 6-1 in the final game to end the tournament with a 2-1 record. sophomore Hunter Cox had a hat trick and two assists against Pentwater.
“We were working together well, finding the correct pass and being able to break the opponents defense,” Cox said. “Our team goal is to have a better record than last year.”
O’Neil added two goals and an assist along with Homa and Austin Switzer contributing an assist each. Forton had five more saves to finish the tourney with 18 saves on the day.
Forton looks to be more communicative in the net this year to help form chemistry within the team.
“We have a lot of potential for this year. I think we’re gonna do great things,” Forton said.
Glen Lake hosted McBain Northern Michigan Christian on Tuesday as of press time.
Glen Lake has seven juniors, seven sophomores and one freshman.
“There are no seniors of the team. It’s not very often you can have a know that many people on a team together for two years in a row,” Glen Lake coach Jared Boynton said. “We’re working on maturity a little bit every day ... That’s only going to come with time. We are looking to help create kids into leaders,” Boynton said.
Unlike years past, Glen Lake will be able to field all 11-players with subs.
“Last year our team was all super young we just started playing with each other. We were all new to each other and we didn’t know how to play with each other last year. This year we’re really figuring out how to play with each other and bonded as a team, so we’re all one,” Eli Maule said.
A couple goals for the Lakers this year include a better record this year and beating Leland.
