Manistee shuts out Big Rapids 4-0 in Friday soccer action

After all, in soccer circles a 4-0 shutout is an overwhelming result. But, that wasn’t the way Mariners’ head coach Brandon Prince saw it afterward.

The Cardinals gave the Mariners a tough battle, and Prince was grateful.

Huh?

Well, that’s not so surprising, really, because the Mariners are scheduled to kick off their West Michigan Conference slate at Ravenna on Monday.

Big Rapids allowed two goals in the first half, and two more in the second – including the final one with under two minutes left in the game.

One of the reasons why the Cardinals were able to keep it as close as they did was because of their tight defensive play, and their goalkeeper’s performance.

“Justin (Fox) does a good job with the Big Rapids program, so we knew today was going to be competitive the way it was,” Prince said. “(It) was physical, fast. I think we left a lot on the table. There were good things throughout the day.

“To hold that zero on the board … that’s what we’re looking for. So, I’m good with that. Zero is the most important to me.”

Prince came away very impressed by the Cardinals’ goalie, who stood on his head the whole game and denied the Mariners several potential goals with some awesome saves.

“He made some great saves, (and) made us earn it,” said the Mariner coach. “Even at the end, I kept telling the players, ‘It’s going to take more than shooting it at him. He’s a great talent. I’m looking forward to see him play the rest of the year, and see how it pans out because he made some first class saves.”

Jacob Scharp tallied the first Mariners goal about 13 minutes in on a left-footed shot immediately in front of the net, guiding the ball into the net with a backward knock.

Manistee found the back of the net five minutes later, Will Somsel controlled a pass from Luke Smith and the Mariners went into the intermission with a 2-0 lead.

It took the Mariners five minutes to get on the board again and increased their lead to 3-0 at 35:04 of the second half on a goal by Scharp on an assist from Jack O’Donnell.

But, that is not the direction Manistee attempts to follow, according to Prince.

“We just want to share the ball in that last foot, that right foot, and put the ball in the back of the net,” said Prince. “That continuity is starting to go, and it’s starting to get faster and cleaner. It’s that buildup that we look for. It’s not so much just kind of the grip it and rip it mentality. It’s the sequences that we’re looking for, which gaps we want to play and how we want to get it.

“I love the outside play, and all of a sudden we’ll come through the middle,” he said. “The balance of attack is what I’m looking for. We’re not just playing one style. We’re blending them. I saw that tonight, early, right off the bat.”

The Mariners’ last goal was scored just 1:27 before the conclusion of regulation as Mason Robinson buried a shot from close in. Scharp had the assist.

Manistee fell just short of winning the conference title last year, battling Ludington right down to the final week before the Orioles prevailed.