The first week in October was a long but prosperous for the Ocelots. The team hit the road to take on Jackson College (Oct. 1) and Owens Community College (Oct. 3) and came away with two more wins. The team outscored their opponents 7-0 between both matches.
The match against Jackson came with a defensive approach by the Jets, as they were aware of Schoolcraft’s offensive prowess.
The Ocelots couldn’t find a way to score, so Head Coach Rick Larson made some adjustments to the lineup that yielded positive results.
Sophomore Kellen Larson scored the game’s first goal at the 34 minute mark, utilizing a resource increasingly scarce in modern soccer: free kick goals.
After Unai Gonzalez was fouled, Larson didn’t hesitate to shoot from a considerable distance, using the laces of his cleats, hitting a powerful, accurate, and curling shot that ultimately beat the Jets goalkeeper Carsen Wonders.
After that first goal, the game started to flow differently for the Ocelots. The team managed to create more scoring opportunities, with Amar Selmic hitting the post twice, and a beautiful volley from Derek Trinklein, who forced an excellent save from the goalkeeper after receiving a long pass from his midfield partner, Gonzalez.
This intensity continued with just seconds into the half where Trinklein found Larson, who was making an infiltration in the defense. Larson controlled the ball in two touches and shot past the goalkeeper making it 2-0 Schoolcraft at 46th minute.
To seal the win for the Ocelots, Selmic scored after a good team combination. Trinklein spotted Devlin McGinnis’s run and slipped past the opposing defense. MeGinnis, in front of the box, laid the ball off to Selmic, who fired a precise shot into the goalkeeper’s corner, leaving him stranded, making it 3-0 Ocelots at the 78th minute.
Selmic’s finishing ability and attacking instincts have made him one of the team’s most dangerous players.
“It’s always special to score for the team. I’m confident, but most importantly, I’m happy to help us keep winning. We have a busy week ahead, and I’m motivated to keep fighting.” said Selmic reflected on his performance after the match.
Two days later on Oct. 3, the Ocelots continued their winning streak with another resounding 4-0 victory against Owens Community College.
The standout performer of the match was Jacob Fjellas, who scored two goals and was named MCCAA Player of the Week.
The Ocelots’ offensive play paid off in the first five minutes of the game when Niko Demopolis took a corner kick, and after the ball bounced in the air, Andrew Bowman headed it in to open the scoring in the 4th minute. Just two minutes later, Leonardo Augusto played a pass between the defense lines to Fjellas, who was running between the lines. The Norwegian striker advanced at speed and finished into the goalkeeper’s left corner, making it 2-0 .
With his highly offensive approach Fjellas was opportunistic and after a through ball into the box, he shot at the near post. Owens goalkeeper Kyan Martin saved it, but on the rebound, he again tapped it into the net with his left foot. The first half ended 3-0, Ocelots.
After a strong first half, the Ocelots looked to extend their lead. However, the team failed to find the same rhythm and saw Owens’s team launch several offensive moves, which threatened Benjamin Modronja’s goal but were ineffective in converting them into goals.
In the 86th minute, Ali Sabbagh came off the bench to start the play and also finish off a rebound from Owens’s goalkeeper, scoring the Ocelots’ fourth goal.
With two consecutive away wins, scoring seven goals and conceding none, Schoolcraft College once again demonstrated defensive consistency and offensive prowess, remaining confident in its pursuit of the conference title and qualification for the Regionals.
