Special matinee match today as Ionia hosted Hastings. This game was always going to be a special one because it was our final regular season home game and it was a match in which we celebrated our seniors and their fantastic contributions in helping to grow the program and our stature within CAAC soccer.

With Hastings coming to town, we knew it would be a close battle. That is usually the case when we meet up. The first half proved as much when both teams tried to find a breakthrough but found it difficult to crack the other's defense. We looked a bit leggy from another busy week and we really just needed to hang in there until we could start making some connections and find our rhythm.

It wasn't long into the second half we started applying sustained offensive pressure. The kind of pressure provides opportunities to score. Once we got the first goal, the players really started to get more on track with the way we like to play, looking to combine and play as a unit. The final result saw Ionia tally 5 goals in the victory with every player making a contribution to the team's success.      

Goals:
Derrick Santana - 2  two very composed goals. As the season has progressed he takes on more responsibility. 
Zane Sarka - 2 - A welcome return to the lineup with some limited minutes after an injury layoff and picked up where he left off by notching a couple of goals.
Scotti Kimber - 1 - Keeps adding to his goal tally, but also picked up a couple of assists as well.

Assists:
Scotti Kimber -2
Daman Lautenbach -1 Ever present in the top of the midfield. That's a big ask of a freshman, but he delivers.

Alex Barr with 6 saves gets another shutout win in goal.

Overall Record: 8-5-2
Conference Record: 4-3-0 

Next match is Monday, Oct. 2 @ 6 pm, at home vs Portland First round of CAAC tourney play.