LocalSportsJournal.com
The Pirates finished 2-1 with a 5-1 victory over Pentwater and a 5-2 victory over Maple City Glen Lake. Hart fell to Brooklyn Columbia Central 3-0 in the final game of the day.
For Hart, which graduated just one senior, it was a successful start to the season. Hart finished second in the tournament based on goal differential.
Pentwater took a 1-0 lead in the first game when Will Werkema-Grondsma broke through the Pirate back line and fired a shot past keeper Miguel Escamilla, who finished the game with seven saves.
It served to wake up the Pirates up as midfielder Rivaldo Gonzalez scored from a free kick to tie it 1-1.
Gonzalez made a nice cross that junior forward Adrian Belmares headed into the back post and put the Pirates up 2-1.
Emmanuel Ortega sent the Pirates into the half with a 3-1 lead. Second-half goals came when freshman midfielder Kevin Hernandez converted a pass from senior Tyler Larios-Mendez, and a rocket by Ortega found the opposite side netting.
After a 1-1 halftime statemate, the Pirates found themselves behind 2-1 early in the second half against the Lakers in Game 2, but pulled away, despite losing Larios to an ankle injury. Larios scored the Pirates’ only goal in the first half. Pirates senior Adam Cruz scored twice and Belmares added a counter in the second half.
Hart keeper JJ Bizon had four saves.
With Larios and freshman Colton Samuels out because of injuries, the Pirates were down to 16 players against Brooklyn. Bizon recorded seven saves in net for the Pirates.