Fremont’s boys soccer team captures outright WMC title with 4-0 win at Manistee

Fremont’s boys soccer team put the finishing touches on an outright West Michigan Conference title Wednesday at Manistee and the Packers did it in style.

Fremont’s 4-0 victory capped an 8-1-1 run through the league and completed a nearly worst to first turnaround for the Packers over the course of one year.

Fremont and North Muskegon entered the day tied atop the WMC standings, but the Norsemen were knocked out of a title share with a 2-1 loss at Montague. Ludington beat Shelby, 4-0, to finish 8-2-0 and second place in league play. North Muskegon was third at 7-2-1.

“The improvement has been drastic as Fremont finish in 10th place last season but rebounded to capture the title,” Fremont coach Steve Vissia said.

The lone loss for Fremont so far this season came against Ludington, a 4-2 decision on Sept. 25. Fremont tied Oakridge in league play, 2-2, on Aug. 30.

Fremont was not going to be denied with the title on the line Wednesday. The Packers got on the board 12 minutes into the match when Silas Rinne scored off a corner kick by Killian Prewitt.

The contest leveled off until there were four minutes left in the first half. Colson Buitendorp took a feed from Chaz Miller and found the net to make it 2-0. Less than a minute later, Miller assisted again on a tally by Deagan Klimek to give Fremont a commanding 3-0 lead at the halftime break.

The Packers put it away midway through the second half on a goal by John Vissia.

Fremont outshot Manistee, 22-12. Caleb Vissia made 12 saves for Fremont, while Grayson Prince had 18 stops for Manistee (9-5-2, 4-4-2 WMC).

Next up for Fremont and Manistee are district games. Fremont hosts Hart at 5 p.m. Wednesday (Oct. 11) in a Division 3 first-round game, while Manistee takes on the Newaygo/Whitehall winner at 7 p.m. Oct. 18 in the district semifinals at Whitehall.