News Photo by Leslieanne Johns The Alpena High School boys soccer team gathers before their second game of the tournament on Saturday against Roscommon. Alpena won the game 2-0 to take second place overall in the tournament.
ALPENA — The Alpena Wildcats showed tenacity and talent in the Sunrise Side Soccer Challenge Cup tournament, winning two of three matches while using strong defense and offensive creativity to help Alpena finish in second place behind Grayling in the tournament.
In the opening game against Gladwin, the teams were evenly matched in the first half with neither team able to score a goal, but Alpena broke the deadlock in the second half when No. 6 Keller Skiba broke through the defense to score the opening goal. A few minutes later, Jack Spillane put Alpena up by two goals with a beautiful shot.
Spillan scored again shortly after from a free kick. Unfortunately, the goal was called off due to a play call, leaving the score at 2-0. Despite the goal being called off, Alpena held on to their lead and controlled the tempo for the rest of the game to secure their first win of the tournament.
In the second game, Alpena faced a stiff challenge from Grayling. The Wildcats fell behind with the only goal of the game scored by Grayling's Bella Von Lampe. Despite being behind, Alpena fought back and earned a penalty kick for a foul in the goalie box. Skiba attempted to kick the penalty but was unsuccessful, putting the Wildcats behind.
Alpena continued to push for a tie, but Grayling's defense held firm, handing the Wildcats their only loss of the tournament with a final score of 1-0.
News photo by Leslieanne Johns Alpena's Caleb Worth dribbles down the field during the Wildcats' game against Grayling on Saturday in Alpena. AHS placed second in the tournament they hosted, losing only to Grayling, 1-0.
In the final game, Alpena took on Roscommon with renewed determination. Eight minutes into the game, Skiba scored a perfect header with an assist from Spillane to give Alpena an early 1-0 lead. The Wildcats defense was solid and maintained their advantage throughout the first half.
Late in the second half, Skiba scored again with just five minutes remaining, scoring his second of the game to give Alpena a comfortable 2-0 lead. The Wildcats finished the game without conceding a goal and finished the tournament on a high.
Alpena finished with a 2-1 record and placed second overall in the tournament.
Grayling took first place, with Gladwin and Roscommon rounding out the standings.
News Photo: Leslieann Johns The Alpena High School boys soccer team gathers before their second game of the tournament on Saturday against Roscommon. Alpena won 2-0 and took second place overall in the tournament. News Photo: Leslieann Johns Alpena's Caleb Worth dribbles down the field during the Wildcats' game against Grayling on Saturday in Alpena. AHS took second place in the tournament they hosted, losing only to Grayling, 1-0.
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Early Saturday morning, the Alpena High School cross country team was out again, racing in their 50th annual meet.
