Western High School soccer players have celebrated scoring goals nearly 80 times this season in 15 matches. Photo by Jeff Steers, JTV Sports.
By Jeff Steers
JTV Sports
(October 9, 2022 8:00 AM) Western High School has spent years chasing the likes of Mason and Marshall in tournament soccer.
Now, the Panthers may turn from the hunters to the hunted as district soccer begins this week.
Western is 15-0 heading into its final game of the regular season on Monday and district play starts on Thursday
The Panthers have outscored opponents 78-6 during the regular season. Western will host Detroit Country Day on Monday at home beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the regular season final game.
The Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 2 district tournament begins at home on Thursday at 7 p.m. against Hastings. Western has defeated everyone on its side of the bracket, but 15-3 Gull Lake looms on the other side.
The opening games will be played at various sites and Middleville Thornapple Kellogg will host the semifinal and final district matches.
The district final is scheduled for Oct. 19 at 6 p.m.
Western is enjoying its best season ever going undefeated to this point. Senior Tommy Powell put an exclamation point in the Interstate-8 Conference with two goals in a 2-1 win over Northwest on Thursday.
“Honestly, I didn’t think we would be 15-0 … but I am glad that we are,” Powell said. “We are just amazing.
“It is just our bond with one another that makes us really good.”
Powell is joined by fellow seniors Wyatt Robinson, Cyrus Comfort, Kellen Eva, Silas Falde, and Peter Ganzel.
“We all started together in Jax early on and split up,” Powell said of the senior group. “We met back up on the junior varsity squad.
“I think we can go all the way.”
The Panthers are led offensively by a number of players including junior Jeff Palmer, Roarke Watterson, and Christian Roza. Defensively Quentin Eva, Barrett Warner, and Aidan Barrett have led the charge.
The Panthers are coached by Scott Watterson.
District tournaments for all local high schools begin on Wednesday or Thursday. Here is the schedule for all of the local high school soccer teams.
MHSAA District Soccer Assignments
Division 2 at Mason
Oct. 12
Tecumseh at Adrian 6 p.m.
Oct. 13
Jackson at Mason 6:30 p.m.
Northwest at Chelsea 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 18 (at Mason)
Tec/Adrian winner vs. Pinckney 5:30 p.m.
Jackson/Mason winner vs. NW/Chelsea winner 7 p.m.
Oct. 20
District final at Mason 6:30 p.m.
Division 2 at Middleville Thornapple Kellogg
Oct. 12
Harper Creek at Middleville 7 p.m.
Marshall at Charlotte 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 13
Hastings at Western 7 p.m.
Oct. 17
HC/Middleville winner vs. Gull Lake (Middleville) 5:30 p.m.
Marsh/Charl winner vs. Hast/Western winner (Middleville) 7:15 p.m.
Oct. 19
District final at Middleville 6:30 p.m.
Division 3 at Onsted
Oct. 13
Stockbridge at Columbia Central 5 p.m.
Michigan Center at Quincy 5 p.m.
Oct. 17
Stock/CCHS winner vs. Onsted 5
MC/Quincy winner at Hillsdale 5 p.m.
Oct. 19
District final at Onsted 5 p.m.
Division 4 at Hillsdale Academy
Oct. 13
Jonesville at Grass Lake 4:30 p.m.
Jackson Christian at Lumen Christi 5 p.m.
Oct. 17
Jones/GLake winner vs. Hillsdale Academy 4 p.m.
JC/LC winner vs. Lenawee Christian 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 20
District final at Hillsdale Academy 4 p.m.