Goalie Andrew Campbell didn’t lose sight of the soccer ball as it passed from one foot to another on the wet field.
The focus led to the senior’s third shut-out in the four games the boys varsity soccer team has won.
Two goals from sophomore Ryne Jones and another from junior Jarrett Kersten put the score, 3-0, in the Friday game at Waterford Kettering.
‘Campbell made some very good saves,? said Coach Adam Bican about the Kettering game and the loss to Detroit Catholic Central, 2-0.
‘He commands the field and controls the game from the back. He is very vocal. He is delivering it for us,? he added.
Campbell didn’t get much time last year in the net when Scott Messer was goalie – but after Messer graduated Campbell moved into the starter position.
‘When you graduate someone like Scott, you have big shoes to fill. Andrew is doing a heck of a job,? Bican said.
More key players from last week included Jones, Kersten and Justin Strohschein.
The boys faced Detroit Catholic Central and their leading scorer Josh Gatt on Thursday.
‘Catholic Central was definitely a challenge,? said Bican. ‘We played against the best player in the state, if not the second best in the state in Gatt. He scored a quick goal against us.?
The second goal was from a penalty kick.
‘All-in-all we played a pretty really good game against Catholic Central,? said Bican.
‘We possessed well. We had some offensive opportunities. We just need to convert. If we convert just one of them it definitely changes the game. We have a great team and can compete with the top teams in the state.?
Even though the boys suffered their second loss against Catholic Central – they were able to take lessons away from the game.
‘The thing about this team is they are extremely intelligent and they learn from their mistakes,? said Bican. ‘They get better every practice. Every game they look to get better.?
He added an element the boys took away from the game was to be quicker in speed.
‘The touch needs to be better. When we are in the offensive end we need to concentrate a little harder on possession and finishing. We had four decent opportunities we could have capitalized on,? Bican said. ‘If all those things happen we will be alright.?
The boys played their first league game on Tuesday and are competing to win the league title this season.
Bican said their main competition will be Troy and Lake Orion but said the boys are ready for the challenge.
The boys host Royal Oak on Thursday and head to Rochester on Sept. 8.
‘Rochester is an extremely hard-working team,? said Bican. ‘They have talent over there. It’s always a good game and our guys will be ready to work and compete.?
JV begins at 5:30 p.m., varsity follows.