TUCSON, AZ – It was a must win game for the #6 Ocelots and some math had to work in their favor when they took on #3 CCBC Essex for a chance to advance out of pool play on Nov. 14, 2023.
After coming off an emotional, long game the night before, the Ocelots did come out firing with plenty of chances coming early. However, the Knights goalie would be able to keep them out of the net and keep the Ocelots off the board. After CCBC weathered the first 10 minutes or so, they began to turn it on. They would score 2 goals in 2 minutes (15th and 17th minute) to take an early 2-0 lead in game that was key for Schoolcraft to come out hot. In the 31st minute, the Knights would score again to go up 3-0 which would be the score going into the half. Schoolcraft would have 8 shots in the first half but was unable to get most of them on net as they only for the CCBC keeper to make 1 save.
Quickly into the second half, CCBC would strike again in the 50th minute to push their lead to 4. Some hope would return quickly after that when the nation’s leading scorer, Dante Davidson, would put Schoolcraft on the board in the 53rd minute. However, that would be all the scoring the contest would see as the final score would read 4-1 in favor of CCBC.
The Ocelots finish their season with a 17-4 record. Their successful season included MCCAA champions, Region XII champions and the Northeast district champions.
