The Boys Varsity Soccer Team traveled to Forest Hills Central to open their OK White campaign. This  much anticipated match between #1 ranked Rangers hosted the #3 ranked Eagles was broadcast statewide on the Michigan Soccer Network. The Rangers had the better of the first 10-minutes of the match as the visiting Eagles worked their way into the game with both teams trading scoring opportunities. The Breakthrough came 16-minutes into the match when sophomore David Pontarelli was fouled in the box going up for a header, resulting in an Eagle penalty kick. Junior John Cassiday tucked the penalty away to give the Eagles a 1-0 advantage. At the 32-minute mark, senior Jackson Mindling received a throw-in deep in the Rangers end of the field and floated a ball acros the goal. Cassiday was able to streak between two defenders and volley the ball past the Rangers goalkeeper to double the Eagles' advantage to 2-0. 

With a 2-0 advantage going into the second half, the Eagles played more conservatively, defending well as a team and taking few risks in the back. The talented Rangers pressed forward looking to cut the Eagles lead, but were thwarted by some outstanding goalkeeping by senior Christian Dershem, turning away several good chances. The tenacious Eagles still created opportunites when their defense created turnovers in the midfield. With seven minutes remaining, Mindling intercepted a Rangers pass into the midfield and drove it forward with Pontarelli streaking on his left. As the Rangers defender stepped up to defend Mindling, he adeptly slotted the ball in front of Pontarelli who tucked the ball into the far side of the goal to cap off the scoring. The Eagles continued to show their ability to counter quickly and, with a minute remaining, Cassiday was fouled just outside the Rangers penalty area, resulting in a free kick. Cassiday was just inches away from tallying his third of the night when his free kick rocketed off the crossbar. 

The Eagles defense showed grit and tenacity all night against a skillful and speedy Rangers attack, preserving the shutout, their third of the season. The win moves the Eagles to 4-1-2 on the season and 1-0 in conference play. 

The Eagles continue their three-week streak of away games by traveling to Byron Center on Thursday night for a 6:45 kickoff. 

The extended highlights of the match from MSN can be found here:  https://youtu.be/9XNShl6jkVQ