By Jeff Patrus
Sports Writer
Brandon’s varsity boys soccer team headed into the Flint Metro League season on a winning note.
The visiting Blackhawks defeated neighboring Goodrich in a 2-0 contest Tuesday, Sept. 5. Brian Allar scored the Blackhawks? first goal with about 20 minutes left in the first half, and Ryan Morales added an insurance goal about eight minutes later for the Blackhawks.
Brandon’s season record is now 2-1-1.
On Thursday, Aug. 31, the Blackhawks dropped a 3-2 contest against visiting Royal Oak Kimball. Morales scored the game’s first goal in the first half to give the Blackhawks a 1-0 lead at halftime, but the Raiders answered with three goals in the second half to earn the victory.
Joe Blakely scored the Blackhawks? other goal of the game in the second half.
Earlier in the year, the Blackhawks battled to a scoreless tie against Walled Lake Western in an Aug. 23 game, and defeated Croswell-Lexington 4-2 in an Aug. 28 game.
Brandon coach Nathan Hunter said the Blackhawks are well-equipped for the season ahead, thanks to a strong core of seniors.
‘I think our strength is our senior leadership,? he said. ‘We have players with some experience, and they’re taking up key roles on our defense and in the midfield. Our kids are working extremely hard and giving everything they have.?
The Blackhawks have four senior co-captains this year: Morales, John Soave, Andrew Chester and Tyler Walls. In addition, Hunter said seniors Jamie Drayton, Kyle Vallier and Clayton Carpenter are doing a good job of providing leadership to the younger Blackhawks.
One area where the Blackhawks are undergoing a transition this year is in goal, which Jerry Cronk patrolled for the Blackhawks for several years. With Cronk lost to graduation, that left a void for this year’s team.
‘We’ve had a lot of strength in that department,? Hunter said.
In order to fill that void, Hunter said the Blackhawks are platooning in goal this year with a pair of juniors, Aric Baekert and Trevor Fox.
The Blackhawks were scheduled to open the Flint Metro season Wednesday, Sept. 6 against visiting Linden, and are also scheduled to travel to Holly Monday, Sept. 11 for another league game.
Hunter said the league this year will be very competitive, as it is every year, but thinks if the Blackhawks can maintain a positive mental attitude, they will be a factor in the Flint Metro.
‘Oxford, Linden, and Lapeer East are fielding strong teams this year,? he said. ‘It’s a matter of our focus going into each game. We just want to be mentally prepared each time out, and I think we’ll be successful.?