And Then There Were Two

Net!. Brevin Byrne puts WMC on the board- Photo by Randy Riksen, LocalSportsJournal.com

WMC plays Saturday for state title

The magical run by the WMC Warriors has delivered the team to the State Finals for the first time since 2011 and given them a shot at their 6th outright state title (shared title in 1988).
“These boys have really come together to do something we haven’t been able to accomplish  in a long time,” said Coach David Hulings. “I could not be prouder of this team.”
The team will face second ranked University Liggett out of Grosse Pointe Woods Saturday in Novi, a 3pm matchup between two of the top ranked teams in D4.
On their way to the coveted title game the #4 Warriors have defeated 3 out of the top 5 teams as  #1 Calvin Christian, #3 North Muskegon and #5 Dansville each were eliminated by the surging Warrior squad.
Saturday their eyes will be on adding  #2 to that list.
We asked senior Brevin Byrne of Fremont if he could give us some insight into the semifinal win and maybe riff a bit about his final season and playing on this title- contending squad.

It was a great game against Dansville, despite the poor weather. They came out strong in the first half and we were able to weather the storm and keep it 0-0 until half time. Coming out of halftime we really controlled the game with a possession style of play building up through the middle of the field. Players such as Nick Moser, Charlie Alfree, and Isaac VanHoeven had excellent combination play to break down their back line.
Finally around 20 minutes left Ashton Leffring won a ball off a throw in and slotted it back from the end line to me about 12 yards out in front of the goal and I finished it with my right foot off the post and in. A few minutes later Micharl Masumpa finished the game off with our second goal of the night. 
This season has really been a blessing for all of our team. We are probably not the most talented team to come through WMC in recent years but we simply enjoy it. Everyday we love to go to practice and hangout with our friends. We struggled a little early in the season but a team bonding trip to a Hope College men’s soccer game really brought us together and we decided we really didn’t want our season to end early. I think a big thing for us was that we celebrated like crazy after every game truly appreciating every win because you never know when it’s going to be your last. 
For me this season has been extra special as my grandfather, Bill Byrne passed away this September after a long battle with heart issues. He was at every single game we had, cheering and giving high fives to any player that would give him one. I just am glad we can do this to honor him. This season we played Lenawee Christian and I scored two goals and had the assist for us to win 3-2 against a top ranked team and he was so proud and that was one of the last games he was able to see.
 I just think it’s special that I’ve been able to get 2 goals in the last two games. I love every kid on the team and wouldn’t change anything for the world.” 

​Thanks Brevin.
​Go Warriors!

Byrne (#4) celebrates goal with fellow Warriors Charlie Alfree (#5) & Isaiah Morales (#2)- Photo by Randy Riksen, LocalSportsJournal.com