(Have photos to go with this story? Email pics to Web and Content Editor / Director of News Dan Stickradt at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com and dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com and also list the photo credit as well.)
MICHIGAN SOCCER NETWORK: MSN NEWS: www.michigansoccernetwork.com/msnnews
COURTESY PHOTO / HARBOR SPRINGS ATHLETICS
BY DAN STICKRADT
WEB AND CONTENT EDITOR | DIRECTOR OF NEWS
Michigan Soccer Network | Premier Media Group and affiliates
BUSINESS LINE: (248) 525-2349
CELL PHONE: (248) 884-1051
TW/X: @msn_stickradt @LocalSportsFans @MiSoccerNetwork
HARBOR SPRINGS, Mich. – Harbor Springs is starting to get used to championships.
At least in boys soccer and at the district level.
The Rams earned their second straight Division 4 district title Saturday, this time over nearby-rival Harbor Springs Harbor Light Christian, 8-0.
Harbor Springs, which played a tough non-league schedule along with finishing third in the newly-created Northern Shores Conference, captured back-to-back district titles for the first time since winning consecutive crowns back in 2001 and 2002 – long before any current players were even born.
Sophomore forward Henry Juneau scored four goals and added an assist against 12-win Harbor Light Christian, upping his season totals to 45 goals, 21 assists and 111 points – the goals and points are single-season school records – and the Rams are soaring as of late.
“There’s not very many forwards in the state like him. He’s only a sophomore, but he’s so strong with the ball and he’s a great finisher. I’ve said all along he’s one of the best in the state as a sophomore. He’s already broken some scoring records for us and he’s really tough for teams to defend against,” said Harbor Springs coach Jeff Suffolk on Juneau. “He keeps getting better and better.”
Harbor Springs, honorable mention in the D-4 polls, has won four straight games – all in shutout fashion – are 7-2-0 overall in its last nine games. Overall, the Rams are 11-7-1 overall with three cancelled games, have seven total shutouts, and have outscored the opposition 85-28. The Rams have averaged 4.73 goals a game and have outscored the opposition 30-0 over the last four games.
Sophomore Grayson Rife notched his seventh shoutout of the season on three saves against Harbor Light. Ryan Novak, Charlie Baker, Anthony Atkinson and Braegen Flynn also scored for the Rams. Novak has 12 goals, Baker has 10 goals and 13 assists and Atkinson recently came back from a broken arm that sidelined him for half of the season but has been on a scoring binge as well down the stretch since his season debut.
“I think that Grayson is becoming one of the best Division 4 goalies around. He’s played a lot better this season and has come up with a lot of huge saves for us this season,” said Suffolk. “If we can make a run, he’ll have to continue to play the way he has in our (big) games this season.”
Harbor Springs will face two-time defending state champion and nine-time state champion Muskegon Western Michigan Christian (11-7-3) in the regional semifinals. The game will be Oct. 22 at Cadillac at 7 p.m.
The Warriors lead Class D/Division 4 with all-time state championships and are ranked No. 8 in the state entering the state tournament.
The Rams are 10-0-0 against Division 4 schools and have played several Division 2 and Division 3 schools this season.
“We only finished third in our new conference. We just couldn’t beat Grayling,” said Suffolk. “We competed well against Elk Rapids with two close losses and I think we’ll continue to have great battles with them the next few years. I think Grayling will lose some key guys after this season.”
Harbor Light Christian finished 12-6-1. The Swordsmen played an independent schedule this season but next year swill compete in the Northern Michigan Soccer League. Harbor Light finished with eight shutouts and outscored its opposition 62-34.
Unfortunately, the Swordsmen were shut out by Harbor Springs, the first time they were held off the scoreboard all season.
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(Have a story suggestion for the Premier Media Group and the Michigan Soccer Network regarding club soccer, high school varsity, amateur soccer, collegiate soccer or professional soccer involving teams, players or coaches with Michigan ties, contact Communications Specialist/Web and Content Editor/Director of News Dan Stickradt via email at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com or dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com, or call 248-884-1051 or 248-525-2349. Dan Stickradt is a 31-year veteran of the Michigan Media circles and recently joined the staff full time in March of 2024. Want to schedule a broadcast game or live show, contact PMG/MSN Director of Broadcasting Jonathan Turner for availability and pricing at jonathan@michigansoccernetwork.com and jonathan@thepremiermediagrp.com.)
(MSN will compile a random sampling of game results from around the state each day. To send in results from high school varsity, club, amateur, pre-pro, semi-pro or professional soccer, email all pertinent details to Communications Specialist / Web and Content Editor / Director of News Dan Stickradt at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com and dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com or submit information right on the correct link on the MSN website at https://www.michigansoccernetwork.com/reportascore. Please submit the competing teams, location and date of game, final score, overall and league records, goals, assists, goalkeepers and saves, standout defenders, players of the match, and any other pertinent details of the game. If there are courtesy action photos available, feel free to submit them at the above-listed emails.)
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(Have photos to go with this story? Email pics to Web and Content Editor / Director of News Dan Stickradt at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com and dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com and also list photo credit as well.)
BOYS SOCCER: MSN SUPER 50 TEAMS POSITIONS 41-50: www.michigansoccernetwork.com/post/boys-soccer-super-50-teams-positions-41-50
BOYS SOCCER: MSN SUPER 50 TEAMS POSITIONS 31-40: https://www.michigansoccernetwork.com/post/boys-soccer-msn-super-50-teams-positions-31-40
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