MUSKEGON – The Muskegon Risers had every reason to pack it in on Friday night in their last game.
The Risers only had two wins and were not qualifying for a playoff spot while their opponent was alive in the push for a postseason spot.
Muskegon played like it was looking to lock a playoff spot Friday nght at Trinity Health Arena, especially in the first three quarters of play.
The Risers jumped out to a 6-1 lead, then held on to defeat the Iowa Raptors FC squad 6-5 in the season finale.
Muskegon ended its season with a 3-9 record with all three wins at the friendly confines of Trinity Health Arena.
The Risers had other adversities to face heading into their final game as they were without leading goal scorer Miguel Flores, who missed the game with a hand injury. Muskegon also was without its head coach Michael Vollmer, who took another soccer coaching job in Utah.
Michael Schmitt closed the season as acting head coach and leaned heavily on his assistant coaches Ryan Wagenmaker, Kody Harrell and James Dutcher.
“It was one of those situations where adversity reminds you how solid your foundation is,” Schmitt said. “When things get tough you are reminded that people care a lot about this club. You get tested in athletics and winning helps a lot. Now these guys tasted victory and saw what happens when you prepare well as a team as well as coaches.”
Both teams failed to score during the 15-minute opening quarter. The Risers had a couple of chances to open the scoring but just couldn’t put the ball in the net.
Muskegon continued pressuring the Raptors and winning the possession battle which led to taking a 2-0 advantage.
Fikret Hasovic opened the scoring with a hard kick that forced the ball quickly in and then out of the net at the 9:13 mark, then Aldony Mendez connected 11:05 into the second quarter.
Iowa responded with a goal from Angelo Oquendo 12:46 into the second quarter.
The Risers closed out the first half scoring on Mendez’ second goal of the contest with 40 seconds left in the half. Muskegon led 3-1 at the halftime break.
The Risers continued to control the momentum by scoring the two lone goals of the third quarter.
Vincenzo Padilla notched his third goal of the season at the 5:38 mark of the quarter, then Hasovic added his second goal of the evening with 1:40 remaining.
Muskegon had a 5-1 advantage over the Raptors heading into the final 15 minutes of play.
The Risers opened the fourth-quarter scoring with a shorthanded tally from Jonah Dancer to give Muskegon a 6-1 lead.
The Raptors refused to quit despite getting both a blue and red card midway through the quarter. Enrique Horna scored at the 5:13 mark, then Isjah Diaz added a goal 9:22 into the quarter to cut the Risers advantage to 6-3 late in the game.
Iowa then added a power-play goal at 11:06 by Bobby Hurwitz to make it 6-4. The Raptors closed out the scoring as the final buzzer sounded.
Take a look at photos from the night shot by Leo Valdez.
