Jonesville soccer falls in semis to Calhoun Christian; Colts vs. Cougars for the district

HILLSDALE — A hard fought, emotional overtime game closed out the 2024 season for the Jonesville varsity boys soccer program and coach Jeff Dice.

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In what was arguably their best defensive game of the season, the Comets were tasked with stopping a now 10-3-1 overall Battle Creek Calhoun Christian team that ended its regular season with an eight-game win streak.

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For nearly 75 minutes of the 80-minute match, Jonesville's defensive effort, led by senior goalkeeper and captain Bret Cole, kept the Cougars off the score board with several big time saves and near misses. A penalty kick goal from Comet senior captain Ryan Marcavage gave the Comets a 1-0 lead earlier in the game, but a late flyer just snuck in for the Cougars with under six minutes to play in regulation.

After a hard fought 80 minutes, both teams headed back to the sidelines to prepare for overtime. The Cougars took the short break and immediately went on the offensive. Cole and the Comet defense were pressured and tested on multiple finish attempts, but the Comets continued to hold on despite losing captain Ryan Marcavage to an injury earlier.

It looked as though the game was destined to end in penalty kicks, but the Cougars found the back of net in the closing minutes of the period. Jonesville was able to mount an offensive push but was unable to get a good shot at the net before time ran out.

Several Comets had standout defensive efforts to keep the Cougars out of the goal, including senior Bret Cole and junior Marshall Baker. Cole believes that it just came down to a few lucky shots that went swung the Cougars' way.

"I was definitely extremely nervous, but as (the game) went on I had more confidence in my team because we were controlling the ball in the other half for a little bit," Cole said. "Every single shot, my anxiety shot up, and then we'd save it or someone else would save it like Marshall (Baker). I think we just did extremely well, and they just got a few lucky shots in the end."

The Comets end their 2024 campaign at 5-14, matching their win total from the previous year, but Jonesville took major strides as a program the past couple of years, breaking a losing streak that plagued the program before 2023 and earning back-to-back playoff wins in two seasons. This included the 7-0 quarterfinal shutout of Will Carleton Academy this season.

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It marked the end of the road for seniors Ryan Marcavage, Jaren Trujillo and Bret Cole. The past two seasons, the trio have helped the team end their losing streak and earn two playoff wins. All three of them believe the program is heading in the right direction and has a solid foundation to build into next year.

"Soccer has been my life for the last 14 years," four-year player and team captain Ryan Marcavage said. "To see it potentially end tonight is upsetting. But you know what, we gave it our all tonight. It just wasn't enough. Props to Calhoun Christian They played an excellent game. I'm looking forward to seeing how the team does next year... I think we're only going up from here."

It was a competitive group of athletes this season for coach Dice. While the team chemistry took time to build on, an emotional Jaren Trujillo said that the team played for each other in the 100-minute semifinal.

"At the end of the day, we all love each other," Trujillo said. "We tried our hardest tonight."

In addition to coach Jeff Dice returning, junior captain Carsen Cornila will lead a returning group of juniors that includes Marshall Baker, Wyatt Brooks, Donovan Baker, Cameron Moore, Cole Trumper and Kyle Covey next fall.

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Hillsdale Academy faces Calhoun Christian for the title

Hillsdale Academy earned its sixth shutout win of the season and fourth win in a row with an 8-0 final over Bronson in the other district 56 semifinal. The Colts head into the district championship game with home field advantage at the newly built Hayden Park stadium and hold an overall record of 12-3-3.

They face Calhoun Christian this Friday, Oct. 18 at 6:30 p.m. The Colts and coach Neal Brady are looking to win their fifth straight district championship. Tickets can be purchased online at GoFan.

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This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Jonesville soccer falls in semis to Calhoun Christian; Colts vs. Cougars for the district