By David Fleet
dfleet@mihomepaper.com
Brandon Twp. — One goal.
As the clock ticked down in the first round of the Division 2, District 27 playoff game on Oct. 10, the Brandon Blackhawks and Port Huron Redhawks varsity soccer teams provided a notable finish to a rather mundane game.
Shorthanded due to illness the Redhawks trailed the Blackhawks by 10 goals in the first half, which by rule triggered the mercy rule and a running clock. So, with just over a minute remaining Redhawk Head Coach Ray Brown, sent #7 Bryson “Zim” Coronado into the game.
“Zim is autistic and has played in a few games this season,” said Brown, in his fourth year as head coach. “He also is on the track team.”
After entering the game, Zim intercepted a pass from Brandon Senior #4 Colin McKinney headed down field toward Brandon’s goal. The home crowd of mostly Brandon fans along with a few Port Huron supporters responded with encouragement to Zim’s breakaway.
As time expired Zim approached Brandon’s three-time First Team All Flint Metro League goalkeeper, Senior Ben Misenar. Preserving the shutout would have marked a career record for the keeper.
The record would wait on that early fall Thursday afternoon. With just eight ticks of the clock remaining, Zim’s shot skipped past Misenar to the back of the net. The crowd and players recognized the gesture.
“It was big stakes, but it was a bigger moment for him (Zim) that would last a lifetime,” said Misenar. “He will remember that one goal forever, for me, it’s just statistics and just another game. There was no discussion or hesitation from our team or Port Huron, we all zeroed in and did the right thing. I’m proud of the way our team handled the goal.”
Zim responded with a celebratory cartwheel-flip at midfield.
“This was completely unscripted,” said Coach Brown. “Not only for the Blackhawks for recognizing the moment, but for the keeper (Misenar) to care more about Zim than a shutout record. Amazing. This speaks volumes for the community and Zim’s mother was moved to tears with joy upon hearing what the goalie sacrificed.”
Brandon Head Coach Shawn Lovelace said this reflects the character of the Blackhawks.
“It was all on them,” said Lovelace. “All season this team has pulled together. These guys put in the work everyday, and continue to make the coaching staff, their school, and the Brandon community very proud.”