Two goals in the first 20 minutes were enough for the Schoolcraft Ocelots to earn a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Muskegon Community College on Friday, Sept. 19.

The game began cautiously for both teams, with opportunities to open the scoring but squandered them. 

However, the Ocelots were more efficient and scored the first goal in the 13th minute, with Jevaughn Harris finishing off a move assisted by Kellen Larson and Derek Trinklein to make it 1-0. 

Doubling the lead just five minutes later, Giovanni Ivezaj found the net, assisted by DeVaughn Randle and Harris, giving Schoolcraft an early 2-0 lead.

Despite a strong start for the Ocelots, Muskegon didn’t back down. 

The Jayhawks pressed and created clear chances, but goalkeeper Benjamin Modronja stood firm. His one-on-one saves in the first half prevented an equalizer and kept Schoolcraft in control until halftime.

The start of the second half was not the best for the Ocelots who, after a moment of inattention, saw the Jayhawks steal the ball in the attacking field, and after a low cross by Trevor Trevino, the ball found Jose Saucedo in the back post, who with a first-time shot, placed the ball precisely in the right corner of goalkeeper Modronja, who had no chance to defend, reducing the Ocelots’ advantage to 2-1.

After the shock goal, the Ocelots responded immediately to regain control of the game. 

Just five minutes later, Harris scored his second goal of the game in the 58th minute. Harris’s goal was a result of teamwork building from the backline, where he found Larson in midfield, who, with one touch, passed the ball to Devlin McGinnis, who dribbled into the box and passed to Harris, who rolled the ball into the back of the net, restoring the Ocelots’ two-goal lead. 

From that point on, the Ocelots controlled the game, demonstrating composure and defensive organization to secure the victory, 3-1.

With this win, Schoolcraft improves to 6-1 overall, demonstrating offensive prowess and defensive stability in a great challenge.

The Ocelots now travel to Cleveland to face Cuyahoga Community College Saturday, Sept. 27, at 4:30 pm.