Photo Provided by Jennifer White!
When you think of Montague Soccer, one word springs to mind: grit. This resilience echoes through the heart of Detroit’s professional sports teams and perfectly encapsulates the spirit of this tenacious program. After a tough defeat to North Muskegon for the conference championship, the Cats have come roaring back in the postseason. Their remarkable journey to the district finals saw them dismantling Grant with a commanding 6-1 victory and shutting out Orchard View 4-0. However, this success didn’t happen overnight; it began 11 years ago when Coach Brandon Mahoney took over the program.
Coach Brandon Mahoney reflects on the program’s growth, noting, “We started with just 16 players and only a Varsity team 11 years ago. Now we have over 30 players and both Varsity and JV teams.” This expansion has been crucial; he emphasizes, “Being able to focus on the basics in JV has allowed Varsity to improve. The JV and middle school programs are the building blocks of a strong and connected Varsity program.”
Photos Provided by Jennifer White!
The growth also starts with the community support, which has been incredible, with Coach Mahoney noting, “The crowds this season have been amazing! I really love the student and community support,”.
A key figure in this seasons turnaround is Robby Smith, a defensive stalwart whose impact cannot be overstated. Highlighted by an astounding three penalty-kick saves this season, Smith has anchored the backline, guiding his teammates both on and off the pitch. In the crucial district final, he delivered yet another shutout, embodying the nickname “Stonewall” for his impenetrable presence in one of the season’s most pivotal moments.
Equally vital to the team’s success is Trevor Trevino, affectionately known as “Mr. Goals.” With an incredible ability to find the back of the net, Trevino has been a scoring machine in the West Michigan Conference, netting the game-winning goal against Fremont just last night. His impressive collection of hat tricks makes him an invaluable asset to the Cats’ offense, ensuring that Montague is not just a team but a true force to be reckoned with.
Another cornerstone of the team’s success is Lucas Husband, a senior who has grown up in the program. Following in the footsteps of his older brother Robbie, Lucas has emerged as a key figure in midfield, effectively directing and communicating with his teammates. While he may not be the biggest goal scorer or the fastest player, his leadership and vision make him indispensable to this gritty squad.
This season, the team adopted a powerful motto: “What’s the most important game? The next one.” This mindset has propelled the Cats through challenges and into the spotlight. Coach Mahoney highlighted how important the contributions of multiple of the teams other leaders including Riley Onstott and Trevin Silvers were.
Last year, the Cats faced heartbreak in round two against Fremont, falling 3-0. But this time, the stakes were higher, and the team’s resilience paid off. With a single goal scored, they clinched the district final against Fremont, marking a historic milestone: for the first time in program history, they will advance to the first round of regional play in Clare.
Montague will play the winner of Kingsford and Grayling, with that match scheduled for Saturday at 2 PM. Stay tuned as we continue to follow Montague and other squads through the playoffs.
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