Clash of the Titans, games to catch

As division play for most Macomb Area Conference boys soccer teams gets fully under way this week, I figured it was time to check in on how a couple of last year’s top squads looked in preparation of their title defenses.

Utica Eisenhower, which went undefeated en route to taking the MAC Red last year, hosted reigning MAC White champs Grosse Pointe South last Friday (Sept. 7). The Eagles appeared to have plenty of energy at the start and eventually wore down the Blue Devils' backline, which was missing a key player to injury, taking a 1-0 lead after speedy senior sophomore midfielder Raoul Fulgos scored with 17:13 left to play in the first half.

South looked stronger and began to posses the ball more in the second half, but the Blue Devils couldn’t deliver the tying goal. Instead, Ike finished the scoring when Cory Wheeler slotted home a shot from a tough angle to the side of the net with 6:17 remaining in the game to seal a 2-0 victory.

Both programs lost key players from their title teams last year, and both coaches noted their teams still needed to work out a few kinks as their non-league schedules wrap up.

“We’re getting a lot of guys playing time and getting used to each other still, so we’re starting to develop more as a team,” Ike coach Josh Van Houten said.

Van Houten added that he was impressed with the defensive effort, but wanted to see the offense make more of its chances, especially with MAC Red play looming.

“We really wanted to work for that shutout,” the coach said. “We’ve, unfortunately, given up some pretty bad goals lately, and we wanted to make sure our defense was playing solid.

After calling his team’s first-half effort against Ike “mediocre,” Grosse Pointe South coach Gene Harkins said he plans to bring up a couple JV players to solidify his lineup heading into division action. Harkins said he essentially treated the non-league schedule like a preseason, rotating players in and out of the lineup.

“They know as the year goes on my lineup tightens and gets a lot shorter,” the Blue Devils coach said. “We’re really looking to jell stronger as a team. We’re geared up for the MAC White, that’s going to be a big thing for us.”

One thing is for sure, both teams will be in for a battle every league outing as the MAC Red and White divisions appear to have more parity from top to bottom this year.

Several teams will take a quick break from their division schedules Sept. 14 to face rivals in what should be exciting, tightly contested games. So if you’re looking to kick off your weekend with some solid soccer action, check out one (or more) of these MAC crossovers:

-Macomb Dakota at Clinton Township Chippewa Valley beginning at 3 p.m. (The Big Reds won an earlier meeting, 3-1).

-St. Clair Shores Lakeview at St. Clair Shores Lake Shore beginning at 4 p.m. (The Huskies could be the team to beat in the MAC Blue, while the Shorians could be the cream of the crop in the MAC Silver).

-Warren Cousino at Warren Woods Tower, 4 p.m. (This intracity matchup includes a pair of programs that pride themselves on defense).

-Warren Mott at Sterling Heights at 5:30 p.m. (Teams with talented offensive playmakers collide in what could be a high-scoring affair for these Warren Consolidated Schools rivals).

-Roseville at East Detroit at 5:30 p.m. (The Shamrocks will be intent on winning the Friendship Cup from the Panthers after losing their ‘SLED Trophy’ to St. Clair Shores South Lake).