Harbor Springs hands Sabres 5-0 setback

Sept. 03--TRAVERSE CITY -- Last year, once Traverse City Christian hit its stride, the Sabres were able to ride that all the way to the Division 3 boys soccer regional finals.

Christian head coach Ron Christie is hoping his team can come together at the right time this year as well.

So far, the Sabres are a work in progress.

Christian fell to 1-3 on Tuesday after suffering a 5-0 loss to a hungry Harbor Springs squad at the Keystone Soccer Complex.

"We do have some seniors that we're counting on, but we do have a lot of freshmen," said Christie. "Last year we were pretty much in the same exact position we are now. The team wasn't a team as of yet. Probably halfway through the season everyone bought in to 'O.K., we are a team and let's go forward' and of course we did a lot better as the season went on. We're hoping the guys do collectively say 'individually we're nothing, collectively we're everything.'"

Harbor (6-1) scored twice in the first 25 minutes on the way to building a 3-0 halftime

lead, then tacked on two insurance goals. David Bump was in goal for the Sabres.

"I think the way we actually came out in the first 15 minutes kind of set a pretty good tone with playing to feet, which is our strength," said Harbor Springs coach Aaron Riley. "They had some guys who were bigger, stronger, faster, but I think the way we moved the ball kept that at a low. We had some good finishing, which is something we struggled with."

The Rams' defense also rose to the occasion as they limited the Sabres' opportunities, courtesy of their offside trap. Andy Morse earned the shutout in goal.

"Our defense played very well," said Riley. "We played to our formation and played to our strengths."

Parker Fairbairn had a goal in each half to lead Harbor. Lampton Kamalii, John Bailey and Joe Claramunt had the other scores in the win. The Rams maintained focus throughout the contest, not only with an early lead, but also with a game against rival Charlevoix looming on Thursday.

"The guys set their minds to it," said Riley. "We just wanted to be prepared. These guys have played pretty well so far this year."

Christie said the Rams' quickness to the ball was a big factor in the final outcome.

"They were first to ball," he said. "Harbor Springs has a nice little team this year. They did a nice job. We just didn't pressure the defense at all. They won the middle, which gave them the game. We didn't push hard on their defensive guys enough for them to make that happen."

It doesn't get any easier for the Sabres, who head to Grandville Calvin Christian on Friday.

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