Billy Weaver called his return to Lake Orion ‘interesting.?
Weaver, a 2004 Lake Orion High School grad who was voted as the state’s top soccer player his senior year, recently played his first game on the school’s new artificial field.
Weaver was playing with the Premier Development League’s Kalamazoo Kingdom in an exhibition game against the Michigan Bucks on May 10.
‘I’d been looking forward to it all day,? Weaver said, noting he had his own fan section at the game.
One fan was girls varsity soccer coach Ken Snage, who called Weaver ‘the finest male soccer athlete to come through Lake Orion.?
It’s the second year that Weaver has played for Kalamazoo. He plays in the fall and spring for Indiana University, one of the nation’s top soccer programs.
‘I’ve been injured going into the pre-season at Indiana the past few years,? Weaver said, noting he’s back to full health now.
‘I’m excited about how I’ve been playing recently,? he added.
Weaver said six players are gone from last year’s team at Indiana, which, coupled with his strong play at the end of last season, should garner him more time on the field in the fall.
‘The college players that play out here are just trying to improve their game,? he said of his off-season regiment with Kalamazoo.
‘I think this team could be pretty good,? he said. ‘We got off to a rough start last year, so we’re trying to change that this time around.?
As for the game, Kalamazoo took a 1-0 lead into the half, thanks to a goal by Dan Broxup.
The game was suspended, and later called, after lightning was spotted less than 15 minutes into the second half.
Both the Kingdom and the Bucks compete in the PDL’s Great Lakes Division, and will play three times during the regular season.
The remainder of the Bucks? home games will be played at Stoney Creek High School in Rochester, with Weaver returning for a regular season contest on June 11.