MCC’s Head Men’s Soccer Coach Ben Ritsema “Coach of the Year”
The Muskegon Jayhawks receive several awards for their great season. Head Coach Ben Ritsema received the MCCAA Coach of the Year Award. The Jayhawks finished 12-6 in the regular season and qualified for the Region XII Semi-finals in MCC’s 3rd season with a program.
Sophomore Eric Hilt (Muskegon, MI/Reeths-Puffer HS) and sophomore Zachary Sutton (Muskegon, MI/Orchard View HS) earned 1st Team All-Region XII Honors. Hilt was also named to the Region XII All-Tournament Team. Hilt and Sutton were given 1st Team ALL-MCCAA Honors.
Honorable Mention ALL-MCCAA Honors went to freshman Brandon Gillikin (Muskegon, MI/Reeths-Puffer HS), sophomore Brandon Prim(Muskegon, MI/Reeths-Puffer HS), freshman Loghan Stong (Fruitport, MI/Fruitport HS), and freshman Riley Kammeraad (Spring Lake, MI/Spring Lake HS). Kammeraad was also named to the MCCAA All-Freshman Team
Men’s Soccer Enjoys Best Season in Jayhawk History
The Jayhawks finish the season with the most wins and best overall record in school history, 13-7. The Jayhawks were Co-champs in the MCCAA conference and placed 3rd in Region XII, highest school finishes ever. Head Coach Ben Ritsema commented on the Jayhawks season, “Overall, very pleased on the season, especially with our limited amount of college soccer experience, we have only 5 sophomores on the team.”
The Jayhawks played in the Region XII Championships on Nov. 2 in Cinncinnati, Ohio at Cinncinnati State Tech & CC. MCC advanced to the semi-finals round by beating Lake Michigan College on Wednesday, Oct. 30. The Jayhawks faced Owens CC in their rubber match, both winning one game apiece in the regular season. Owens CC beat MCC 4-2, scoring three goals in the first half.
Owens CC jumped ahead early with a 3-0 first half lead. Owens CC scored two goals in the last 4 minutes of the half, the 3rd on a penalty kick. Freshman Marcos Moul (Hart, MI/Hart HS) scored 45 seconds into the 2nd half with an assist from freshman Austin Blaski (Muskegon, MI/Reeths-Puffer HS). Owens bounced back with another penalty kick to make it 4-1. MCC scored with four minutes left to make it 4-2. Freshman KJ Sanchez (North Shore, HI/Spring Lake HS) scored with an assist from Moul. Shots on goal were close 9-8 in favor of Owens CC. Freshman Loghan Stong (Fruitport, MI/Fruitport HS) made 5 saves in goal.
Ancilla College Shuts Out MCC
The Jayhawks were at home on Sunday, Oct. 20 play at Orchard View HS. A win by the Jayhawks would have locked up the Conference Title but Ancilla College won 1-0. MCC is now tied for first in their Conference and will play next on Wednesday, Oct. 30 in the first round of the Region XII Championships, time and place is TBA.
The only goal of the game came in the 69th minute by Ancilla College’s Dominic Harris, unassisted. The Jayhawks goalie freshman Loghan Stong (Fruitport, MI/Fruitport HS) had 12 saves. The Jayhawks overall record is now 12-6, 11-5 in Region XII, and 6-2 in MCCAA (tied for first with Ancilla).
“Team played very well today with a lot of heart and hustle.” said Head Coach Ben Ritsema. “We had one miscommunication with our defender and goalie and Ancilla was able to score. We had some good chances to score in the first half and again in the last few minutes of the game, but were unable to get one in the net.
Men’s Soccer Beats Lake Michigan College in Double OT
The Jayhawks traveled to Benton Harbor, Mich. to play Lake Michigan College Wednesday, Oct. 9. MCC won 1-0 in the second overtime. The Jayhawks are now 11-5 overall, 10-4 in Region XII, and 6-1 in MCCAA. Their Team standing in the MCCAA is first and Second in Region XII.
Head Coach Ben Ritsema talked about the only goal of the game, “Hilt played a great ball into space and Kammeraad was able to run to it and beat the defender. The Lake Michigan College goalie had to come out of his net to take away the angle and Kammeraad placed a nice, right footed, one touch shot in the lower corner for the game winner.
The Goal was scored with 1:01 remaining in 2nd overtime by freshman Riley Kammeraad (Spring Lake, MI/Spring Lake HS) assisted by sophomore Eric Hilt Muskegon, MI/Reeths-Puffer HS. Freshman Loghan Stong (Fruitport MI/Fruitport HS) had an outstanding game as goalie with 13 saves. “Great game by our goalkeeper and defense.” said Coach Ritsema. “Sophomore Brandon Prim (Muskegon, MI/Reeths-Puffer HS), freshman Brandon Gillikin (Muskegon, MI/Reeths-Puffer HS), freshman Kyle Wansten (Muskegon, MI/Reeths-Puffer HS), freshman Jared Jaekel (Whitehall, MI/Whitehall HS), and freshman Aaron Dault (Cedar Spring, MI/Cedar Springs HS played a very solid game in the backline.”
Men’s Soccer falls 4-1 to Cincinnati
The MCC men’s soccer team lost 4-1 at Cincinnati State Tech on Saturday.
Now 10-5, MCC trailed 2-0 before Riley Kammeraad netted the lone Jayhawk goal in the second half. MCC will look to snap its four-game losing streak on Wednesday when it hosts Lake Michigan College.
Owens CC Edges Men’s Soccer Again
The Jayhawks traveled to Toledo, Ohio on Saturday, Sept. 27 to play Owens CC in a much anticipated re-match of the Jayhawks only defeat of the season. The game lived up to the hype with Owens CC squeaking out a 1-0 win. The Jayhawks lost 3-0 in the first game against Owens.
The Jayhawks out shot Owens CC 7-3, but were unable to score a goal. “We played very well in second half, but couldn’t break through the Owen’s defense.” said Head Coach Ben Ritsema. “Our ball movement was much better in the 2nd half; we just weren’t able to put one in the back of the net.
The Jayhawks play tomorrow in Livonia, Mich against Schoolcraft College.
Men’s Soccer Loses 3-2 at Schoolcraft
The Jayhawks were in Livonia, Mich. on Sunday, Sept. 29 to play Schoolcraft College. The Jayhawks led with just eight minutes left, but were unable to hold on and lost 3-2. The Jayhawks are now 10-3 overall, 9-3 in Region XII, and 4-1 in MCCAA.
Schoolcraft started out first scoring 27 minutes into the first half with a goal from Romario Georgis. In the second half MCC came out strong starting with a Penalty Kick from sophomore Zachary Sutton (Muskegon, MI/Orchard View HS) just six minutes into the half. Freshman Riley Kammeraad (Spring Lake, MI/Spring Lake HS) put MCC in the lead with a goal assisted by freshman Marcos Moul (Hart, MI/Hart HS) with just 12 minutes left in the game.
Just minutes later Schoolcraft bounced back with a goal by Derek Boatright to tie the game with eight minutes to play. Then, with just four minutes left in the game Nathan Bergeson scored the game winning goal for Schoolcraft. “Very disappointing lost.” said Head Coach Ben Ritsema, “Being up 2-1 with 12 minutes to play and losing 3-2 is tough.”
Goalie and freshman Loghan Stong (Fruitport, MI/Fruitport HS) had a great game with 12 saves. The Jayhawks will play at Mona Shores HS this Wednesday, Oct. 2 against Grand Valley’s Club Team. Game time is 7:00 pm.
Owens CC Edges Men’s Soccer 1-0
The Jayhawks traveled to Toledo, Ohio on Saturday, Sept. 28 for a rematch against the only team to beat them this season. Owens CC managed to pull out another win 1-0.
The Jayhawks look to rebound tomorrow Sunday, Sept. 29 against Schoolcraft College in Livonia, Mich.