South Christian boys soccer wins seventh regional title in the last 10 years

WKTV sports intern Luke Schrock has been following the South Christian High school boys soccer team as the Sailors have advanced this postseason. Prior to the Oct. 29 game against Dowagiac team, he visited the team’s practice and talked with its head coach and one of the Sailors’ senior leaders.

By Luke Schrock, WKTV Intern

ken@wktv.org

South Christian High School had no problem taking home a MHSAA soccer regional title Thursday, Oct. 29, after a 5-1 win over the Dowagiac Chieftains.

The tournament host Sailors got to a quick start with a goal from senior Cole Huttenga and an own-goal scored by Dowagiac to give South Christian a 2-0 lead before the 25th minute.

Huttenga would score three total goals in the game to compliment an unassisted goal from sophomore Sam Medendorp in the 77th minute. Huttenga, however, credited his success to his teammates.

“My teammates were giving me great balls,” Huttenga said to WKTV, “The corner kicks were great and Levi (DeRuiter), with the really long throw ins, it’s such a weapon and it equates to like fifteen corner kicks.”

Dowagiac’s lone goal came in the 58th minute by Isaac Saavedra on the second of five offensive possessions for the second half.

Sailor head coach Jason Boersma, after the game, said he was proud to be able to continue the tradition of tournament success that he picked up in 2010.

“I kinda got to pick up and continue what had already been started,” Boersma said, “We set it as a goal, and as a program we decided that we were going to be the team that every year would be expected to be there (the state tournament) and to do that is a ton of fun.”

South Christian will travel to Cedar Springs on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 6 p.m., to play the winner of Elk Rapids and Shelby, which is decided Saturday, Oct. 31.