HARBOR SPRINGS — It took all of 42 seconds to see that the Harbor Springs boys’ soccer team wouldn’t be taking their Division 4 district opener lightly earlier this week.
And then again a minute later, then a minute after that.
You get the picture.
A barrage of early goals from the Rams at Ottawa Stadium against Burt Lake Northern Michigan Christian helped Harbor Springs advance out of their opener with an 8-0 win and into a district championship game Friday.
The win for the Rams came as a third straight shutout for Greyson Rife in net and the rest of the Rams' backline, while also the third straight game of scoring more than six goals offensively.
It was also just the start the Rams needed in a quest for a return back into the regional final round and beyond.
Henry Juneau finished the night with four goals, Anthony Atkinson scored a pair and Ryan Novak and Braeden Flynn each had one.
The Rams led in a 6-0 game the half, then wrapped up the mercy win a couple minutes into the second half.
The win advanced the Rams into a hosted Division 4 district final at 6 p.m., Friday, Oct. 18 against Harbor Light Christian.
The Swordsmen earned a 3-2 win over Charlevoix to advance and earn their 12th victory of the season. It closed out a 7-9 campaign for the Rayders.
DIVISION 2
Petoskey 2, Alpena 1
ALPENA — The Petoskey boys’ soccer team was looking forward to a fresh start when the 2024 postseason got underway.
That time came Tuesday in Alpena for a Division 2 district semifinal matchup and it became clear that was fresh start part was true.
After dropping four straight to close the regular season and six of their last seven, the Northmen turned in a 2-1 victory over the host Wildcats.
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The win erased a 5-1 loss to Alpena just a couple weeks back and a 2-2 draw earlier in the season.
The victory also sends the Northmen into a Division 2 district championship game against either Marquette or Gaylord on Saturday, Oct. 19. The Blue Devils and Sentinels meet Wednesday.
Petoskey’s opening goal was sent in by Eli Dettmer, assisted by Aarav Gandhi, followed by a Sam Nemec goal on a header, sent into the box on a Johnny Lipchik corner kick.
Jace Stadling earned the victory in net for Petoskey.
Petoskey (4-12-2) will travel to either Marquette or Gaylord for the final up next on Saturday.
DIVISION 3
Iron Mountain 3, Boyne City 1
IRON MOUNTAIN — Early, it appeared as if the Boyne City boys’ soccer team was going to make the most of a near five-hour trip to Iron Mountain to open Division 3 district play.
But, the game’s first goal by the Ramblers was answered, then answered again by Iron Mountain, closing Boyne’s season in a 3-1 final.
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After a scoreless first half, Boyne City’s Mason Vadnais knocked in an unassisted score within the first minute of the first half, but it only proved to open the floodgates for the Mountaineers as well.
The loss concluded a 3-12-1 season for Boyne City, while Iron Mountain advanced and later fell to Kingsford in a 4-0 final.
Contact or send game stats/info to Sports Editor Drew Kochanny at dkochanny@petoskeynews.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DrewKochanny, and Instagram, @drewkochanny
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Harbor Springs advances with another shutout, Petoskey upsets Alpena in Division 2
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