The Rockford Rams varsity soccer team traveled to Pontiac August 25 to compete in the Best of the Best tournament. The invitation-only tournament hosts top soccer schools from around the state.
Rockford was matched up with strong powerhouse teams: Holt and University of Detroit Jesuit. The Rams played to a 2-0 win over Holt. Junior Eli Appleby and senior Dewey Lewis scored for Rockford. The second game ended in a 0-0 tie with University of Detroit Jesuit.
The Rams moved on to the championship match against host Warren De La Salle. The game was close from kick-off to the end in a battle in the middle of the field. Rams midfielders worked hard the entire game. The Rams’ defense gave up its first and only goal of the season in the final match. Goalkeeper Bryce Page made several acrobatic saves in the air while the backline played hard-hitting defense.
The backline is anchored by senior goalkeeper Page, center defender Jamie Staley, right defender Austin Crowell, juniors center defender/wing Shawn Bloch and center defender Jayden Heyer, and freshman left defender Mitchell Herried. Lewis, Appleby and Bloch were voted to the 11-member All-Star tournament team by the opposing teams’ coaches.
The Rams added another shutout win to the season on August 28 at Forest Hills Central. The 4-0 result was a team effort with two goals scored by Lewis and one goal each scored by Michael Pontius and Reed Szumski. Page protected the shutout with a penalty kick save late in the second half.
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