By Jack Walker
The Grand Rapids Community College men’s soccer team were in Highland Hills, Ohio Saturday afternoon to face Cuyahoga Community College in a match where the Raiders defense prevailed despite a red card early in the second half, hanging on to defeat Cuyahoga 2-0. The Raiders have avoided a loss in three consecutive games, moving their record to 2-3-1 on the season after an 0-3 start.
It was a defensive first half for both teams, with neither scoring and GRCC not having to make a save the entire 45 minutes. The Raiders defense has proved to be the teams focal point so far in the season and showed why in the first half against Cuyahoga.
Offensively, the Raiders were able to get four shots on target, but couldn’t get the ball in the back of the net. The Raiders also had five corner kicks taken in the first half, but again, no dice.
Things were chippy in the first half with a combined 22 fouls being called on both teams, GRCC committed nine of the 22 while Cuyahoga committed the other 13.
It started to pick up for GRCC early on in the second half when they were given another corner kick, where this time the team capitalized, as sophomore forward Elijah Maas crossed it into the box for sophomore defender Cole Drozdowski to head home, putting the Raiders ahead 1-0.
However, just three minutes after the team went up 1-0, freshman defender Jaime Bautista was handed his second yellow card of the game, sending him off the field, meaning GRCC had to play with 10 men for the next 40 minutes.
“That was a really tough one because I thought the kid was playing really good,” said second year head coach Damiekco Smith. “I thought the red card was a little premature but the ref was consistent and called a very close game.”
Despite the red card, GRCC managed to hold on, and registered more shots in the second half than Cuyahoga. A goal in the 86th minute by freshman midfielder Rodrigo Perez was the dagger in the game, giving the Raiders a 2-0 lead to secure the victory in Ohio.
A big part of the team holding on was sophomore goalkeeper Brett Miller, who made seven saves in the second half.
“Brett has done a great job in the last four games with a clean sheet, which is why I stopped switching goalies at half,” said Smith. “I have three amazing goalies which is a good problem.”
After a rocky 0-3 start to the season, the Raiders have suddenly won two straight without allowing a goal in either match.
“They are starting to trust my leadership and actually listen, it makes a difference,” said Smith. “We could easily be 4-1 for the season.”
The Raiders allowed a goal in the 89th minute against Owens Community College in a 1-1 draw, and allowed two goals past the 75th minute against Aquinas in a 2-3 loss. However it looks like GRCC’s defense has turned around since the late game dramatics.
The Raiders will take on Lake Michigan College in their next match on Wednesday Sept. 18 at 1 p.m. at the Midwest United Complex in Kentwood. Last season, GRCC went 2-0 against Lake Michigan College, outscoring them 12-0 in those two games.
Smith was asked what the team needs to do in order to maintain momentum heading into a match that can move the team to 3-3-1 on the season,“Just continue to trust each other and stay positive,” he said.
