Second-half surge carries Western Michigan Christian to back-to-back state soccer titles

By Ron Rop
LocalSportsJournal.com

GRAND LEDGE – The Western Michigan Christian Warrior soccer team won back-to-back state titles for the second time in school history on Saturday afternoon.

The Warriors scored three second-half goals and defeated Madison Heights Bishop Foley, 3-0, in a Division 4 game played at Grand Ledge High School. The Warriors also won two straight titles in 2003-2004.

It was WMC’s ninth state title in its 16th appearances in the state finals since the MHSAA began sponsoring boys’ soccer in 1982.

In the seven tournament games, the Warriors outscored their opponents 28-1, which means junior goalkeeper Daniel Minasian had six tournament shutouts and 16 for the season.

Saturday’s game followed much the same script as the semifinal game against Leland – no goals in the opening half and three in the second half to capture the victory.

“We took a little bit to settle into our game,” WMC coach Ben Buursma said. “I don’t know if it was the early hour or what, but they came out hard and we knew they would. It’s always tough to play a team that’s there for the first time because you never know what they are going to do. They came to play.”

While the Warrior followers may have been a bit nervous with the scoreless tie at the half, the Warriors simply made a few adjustments in the midfield and came out and dominated the second half.

“I thought our boys responded well,” said Ben Buursma, whose halftime message was quite simple. “I told them to continue playing our game. A couple adjustments in the midfield much like we did against Leland and that seems to get us going pretty quick in the second half.”

“The first half they were swarming us,” said Charlie Buursma. “We really didn’t have a lot of time on the ball and we had to adjust to that. We should be used to that by now, but once we adjusted it was game over.”

The Warriors began some swarming of its own in the second half.

Junior forward Tekalegn Vlasma scored two goals, his 25th and 26th of the season, and senior captain Charlie Buursma accounted for the other goal.

The Warriors got on the board 4:17 into the second half when junior midfielder Cole DeJonge ripped a shot toward the Venture’s net. Goalkeeper Greg Altman moved left to make the save, but the shot was tipped in by Buursma.

“I saw Cole was going to shoot it and I started running across and dive in on a rebound and I just stuck my foot out,” said Charlie Buursma. “The goalie was playing the shot well, I just got a tip on it and put it in the back of the net.”

A play that has played out numerous times throughout the season led the Warriors to their second goal. A ball that was heading toward the net saw Vlasma win the race with the charging goalkeeper and a tap-in into the net. That goal came with 27:03 left in the second.

The third, and final, goal came when Buursma sent a ball to the goalmouth that Vlasma redirected into the net.

WM Christian (21-2-3) outshot Bishop Foley (18-4-1), 17-5. Minasian had five saves while Venture goalkeeper Altman had 14 saves.

“The second half was really a big turning point,” Vlasma said. “I don’t know, we were kind of nervous or what it was the first half, but we were confident. We knew we would go out there and dominate the second half.”

The score allowed Coach Buursma to give his bench some playing time in a state final game. He emptied his bench with 4:19 remaining.

“They had a few very good players and they played their game very well, which is based on counter attacks,” said Ben Buursma. “They have big defenders and they can get the ball up to their forward who is really fast and he can create sometimes. We did a good job of locking him down.” Coach Buursma was referencing seniors Sebastian Banica and Ben Barrett.

“We had 10 seniors, seven who were starters,” Ben Buursma said. “It was incredible leadership from them all year long. We didn’t have to count on one guy, ever. If somebody had an off day, we had 3-4 guys there to pick them up. Just a great group.”

“Last year was special, but this year was even more special,” Vlasma said. “We knew how good we could be and we came through.”