MUSKEGON — Few games in Montague soccer history have been as hyped as Wednesday's clash with North Muskegon for the West Michigan Conference title. Unfortunately, the Norsemen came out of the gate much quicker than the Wildcats did, and that made the difference in a 3-0 defeat.
With the win, the Norsemen clinched the WMC title with an 8-1-1 league record, edging Montague, which finished 8-2.
The Norsemen controlled the first half of play with terrific possession and scored the first goal of the game on a terrific pass across that Serj Pastor headed into the net. Six minutes later, they scored again on a shot from just inside the box.
Coach Brandon Mahoney said the Wildcats knew coming in that North Muskegon was a strong team on their new home turf field, and they did not defend well enough to start the game.
"The cleaner you can be, the better you're going to be on turf, and they
were very clean tonight," Mahoney said. "We didn't (defend) really well that
first 10 minutes, when they got those couple goals.
"You've got to be tighter on the marks. If you're not jersey-tugging a little bit,
then you're probably not close enough. You watch them, when we got
possession, that's what they did. They were on our shoulders with a
little jersey tug. It's part of the game. They're not
pulling us down from behind, but they're letting you know that pressure, that you're there."
North Muskegon scored a third goal early in the second half on a set play off a corner kick, essentially securing the win.
Mahoney did see some bright spots. First of all, keeper Robby Smith continued his impressive knack for turning away penalty kicks. Three times, the Norsemen were awarded PKs after Montague fouls in the box; Smith saved the first two, and the third one, perhaps as a result of those saves, was sent high over the crossbar.
"That's three PK saves any way you mark
it up. He played phenomenal for us tonight," Mahoney said. "If somebody wants to contest it
with me, I will debate them all day that he is the best keeper in the
WMC."
Montague's Michael Jones (30) and Giovanni Franco battle with North Muskegon opponents to win a ball from midair during Wednesday's game.
Another bright spot for Mahoney was the Wildcats' improved and passionate play the final 20 minutes or so. It was, perhaps, a bit too passionate at times - a Wildcat was sent off with a red card late in the game - but it was a more physical style that looked more like the Montague fans have seen all season.
"We've got to come out that whole game like that," Mahoney said. "We may end up moving a
few people around. We saw some things in the last 20 minutes that were
good."
The Wildcats will now turn their attention to the district tournament, where they earned the #1 seed and will also host the tournament. Montague faces Grant in the opener and would get Orchard View or Tri-County by winning in the first round. A potential finals grudge match against either rival Whitehall or a Fremont team that handed the 'Cats their other league defeat could await.
"We have been notoriously
tough at home," Mahoney said. "Fruitport was the only one that stung us at home, and we
knew that was going to be a tough match, going against a state ranked
Division 2 team. We have fought back from some adversity this
season at home, and I know the crowd's going to be huge."
