Sacrifice for success

Lakeview’s boys soccer team is doing plenty of things on paper this season that jump right off the page.

The Huskies have beaten a pair of schools about twice their size that are traditional soccer powers (Utica High and Clinton Township Chippewa Valley). They’ve gone 6-0 in the MAC Blue. Three players are averaging nearly a goal a game. They are well on track to earn their first division title under fifth-year coach Nick Spano and have to be considered a favorite to win their third straight district title. They've even crept into the statewide rankings as an honorable mention squad in Division 2.

But perhaps the most impressive thing about the team can’t be found on paper. There are no statistics to describe what Kris Trombley is doing for the team.
Trombley, a senior, is the team’s goalkeeper — a position he didn’t expect to play entering his third year on the varsity.

“All our goalies left, and I was like a last resort,” Trombley said. “Coach Spano decided to try me in goal one day, and I guess I did pretty well.”

The tough, athletic Trombley — who plays rugby in the spring for Lakeview’s club team — had minimal experience in net. He said he occasionally played the position when his travel soccer team would need someone to fill in.

“I’ve never actually gone to any goalie camps or anything like that,” Trombley said.

Trombley’s experience as a field player was evident in his goalkeeping style Sept. 26 when the Huskies hosted Fraser High. Often standing more than a dozen yards off his line, Trombley was able to clear a handful of potential Ramblers breakaways with his foot, rather than sit back in the net and make saves with his hands. Fraser tested him often, with quick counterattacks throughout the game, but he was able to turn back everything the Ramblers threw at him. The Huskies won the crucial division contest, 2-0.

“I enjoy it when it comes to games like this,” Trombley said. “I can’t stand being in goal when I don’t get any action.”

While most coaches may want to avoid the ensuing ulcers of a goalkeeper who lives near the edge of his box, rather than under the comforts of the crossbar, Spano is simply happy he’s found a solid player who was willing to sacrifice the action on the rest of the field.

“That’s not his preference to play goal, but he knows that he’s my best option,” Spano said. “He flat out said, 'I don’t love it, but it’s for this team and I’m going to do it.' That’s kind of the attitude that everyone has taken. They do what it takes to help the team, and obviously, so far it’s been successful.”

Trombley’s teammates have also taken notice of his sacrifice and solid play in net.

“It was a great surprise knowing that he could (play well in net),” senior midfielder Greg Norrod said. “It’s good knowing that we have that ability to throw him in there. It’s great that he’s willing to come in and play anywhere just to see this team become successful.”

Thanks in part to Trombley, it appears that Lakeview will at least clinch a share of the MAC Blue title. Yet there are key upcoming games that will play a major part in deciding who will be raising banners by season's end in the other divisions. Here are some can’t miss crucial approaching contests:

Utica Eisenhower at Utica Ford II, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 1. The Eagles have a tight, one-point lead over the Falcons and Utica Stevenson atop the MAC Red standings. Ike won the division last year, but Ford knocked the Eagles out of the playoffs, so this one should be tense.

Grosse Pointe South at Utica High, 7 p.m. Oct. 8. Each team still has a couple games to get through before this MAC White clash, but the Blue Devils and Chieftains are well out in front of their division foes. South, the defending champions, hold a one-game lead over Utica.

South Lake at Lake Shore, 6 p.m. Oct. 10. Again, both Shores schools have a handful of games to get through, but by the time they face off for this grudge match, the MAC Silver title will surely come into play, just as it did last year when South Lake edged Lake Shore in an all-or-nothing match. The Shorians got the last laugh, though, as they knocked the Cavaliers out of the playoffs. Lake Shore ended September in first place in the division at 5-1-0, while Marine City sat in second at 4-1-1 and South Lake was in third at 3-1-2.

The Metro Conference, home of Macomb Lutheran North, Grosse Pointe University Liggett and Harper Woods, begins its tournament Oct. 4. Warren De La Salle, meanwhile, will look to defend its Catholic League tourney title when action begins with semifinals on Oct. 8.