(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
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
GOODRICH, Mich. – Mason is heading back to the Final Four.
The Division 2 fifth-ranked Bulldogs, the Capital Area Athletic Conference-Red Divion and CAAC-Gold Tournament champions, outlasted Flint Metro League champion Ortonville-Brandon, honorable mention in the Division 2 polls entering the state tournament, by a 3-1 count to claim the school’s 11th regional title in its proud boys soccer history which spans five decades.
“This was one of our many goals this season,” admitted Mason coach Jacob Derby. “Last year we went all the way to the state finals and came up short. But you can’t make it back until you win your district and regional and win your (state semifinals match).”
Mason will play in the state semifinals next Wednesday but not before taking on a red-hot Ortonville-Brandon side that was making its first regional finals appearance since 2015. The Blackhawks have played in six regional title games in their history.
Before a large traveling crowd, Mason (17-3-3) never trailed, scoring twice in the final six minutes of the first half. After Brandon closed the deficit down to 2-1 midway through the second half, the Bulldogs had the answer with a third tally down the stretch to prevail.
Senior midfielder Blendi Jahiri put Mason on the scoreboard first late in the first half. Taking a short pass from senior Collin Winters, Jahiri turned and fired a low shot through traffic that sailed inside the far left post with 5:56 to go in the first half.
The Bulldogs would score again with 1:31 remaining in the first period. Senior Collin Lomax, who just returned to the lineup during the district week after being sidelined with a health issue since February, ended up scoring his first goal of the season. Coming off the bench, Lomax leapt high in the box to head home a cornerkick from junior Brock Straub to push the lead to 2-0 at the break.
That goal was the first of the season for Lomax and proved to be the eventual game-winer for the experienced Bulldogs, who brought back over 75 percent of its roster from last season.
“This means everything. We’ve been working our (tails) off since a week after state finals last season,” said Lomax, who earned All-State Honorable Mention honors last season. “We’ve put in so much work each day and we’re working as hard as we can because we want to achieve our goal.”
Although Mason held a 10-1 overall shots advantage, Brandon came out the aggressor in the second half. The Blackhawks were rewarded for their hard work and persistence with a goal with 18:29 to play.
Sophomore Tristan Groom volleyed home a close-range shot after a cornerkick from senior Colin McKinney that was served right to the mixing bowl in front of the goal.
Brandon could not sustain the momentum down the stretch.
Mason scored its third goal on a nice individual effort from Brandon Nay. The junior midfielder collected a clear and one-timed his shot off the bounce that flew above traffic on a rope and landed top shelf right under the crossbar with 13:39 to play.
The Bulldogs scored on their final two shots on frame in the second half and its first shot on target in the second half.
“I think they continue to remind us that they have the fight and desire to win. That shows with playing, performing and executing but also the preparation that goes wit it,” said Derby. “the time and commitment that they’ve put in. They are just ready for it. We have another big one next week. It’s time to rest, recover and get back at it”
Mason junior Mikey Krysiak finished with two saves for the win, his 17th victory in goal this season for the Bulldogs, who now own a stellar 0.53 goals-against-average as a team.
Senior Ben Misenar finished with seven saves for Ortonville Brandon (16-8-3).
“We had a great run. Mason was just a little bit better today,” conceded Brandon coach Shawn Lovelace. “I’m proud of the way we battled all season. We played a tough schedule, we went unbeaten in our league after finishing (fifth) last year and we won our district. We made a run to get here but came up short against a really good team that had a lot of experience. They played in this game last year.
“But as a coach, I can’t complain for our effort, not just today but all season long,” added Lovelace. “We had a great season.”
Mason held a 15-6 overall shots advantage in the game, including 10-3 with shots on frame. Brandon held a 5-4 edge off cornerkicks but came up short of its first final Four since the mid-1990s.
“I think it comes down to experience,” said Derby. “With a lot of these guys returning – we had a majority of them back – I think its experience has a lot to do with it. But at the end of the day, the kids just want to win. They want to work and be ready for these moments. We’ve done that. You can’t stress enough how much preparation and getting better as players and people can have you ready for these games.”
LEGACY TO LEAVE
Mason has outscored the opposition 61-12 this season and has recorded 13 shutouts. The Bulldogs have only been blanked four times during a tough league and non-league schedule that featured multiple numerous quality programs.
That’s par for the course for Mason, which first launched its program back in 1982. Playing quality opponents is nothing new for the Bulldogs. Each coaching staff that has served along the sidelines has scheduled games that way.
This season, Mason has a 6-3-0 record against teams that have spent at least one week either in the top 15 in the state in one of the four divisions or listed as honorable mention in the rankings. Several more opponents were ranked last year, ranked in recent years or have a rich history in boys soccer.
The Bulldogs do not play a bunch of nobodies.
Since starting its program in the early-1980s, Mason (either Class B or Division 2 enrollment-wise) has captured four state titles – 1989, 1990, 1997, 2015 – while finishing as the state runner-up two other times. The Bulldogs lost in the finals back in 1986 and again last season, where they were shut out by Grand Rapids Christian (3-0) in the Division 2 finals.
The program has been to the Final Four 11 times, including the 2023 and 2024 seasons, captured 11 regional titles and lost in the regional finals five other times to go along with the 4-2 state finals record. That’s 16 times the Bulldogs have reached at least the Elite Eight in the Class B or Division 2 state tournaments.
“I think there is an expectation to do well. This program has won a lot of championships over the years, conference, district, regional, state championships,” reminded Derby. “Last year we lost in the (state) finals and the boys want to get back there. We still have another big hurdle to get over. We have to keep it one game at a time.”
Additionally, Mason owns 25 conference championships, two conference tournament championships, six conference tournament finals appearances, and 24 district titles to go along with the regional and Final Four success stories. Mason’s program was first launched back in 1982, and low and behold the Bulldogs captured its first district title that season.
THE REMATCH
Next on the radar is another date with state powerhouse Warren De La Salle, as the Division 2 state semifinals will take place at 6 p.m. at Waterford Kettering.
De La Salle – much like Mason has a tradition of success in boys soccer with five state titles, one state runner-up, 13 Final Four appearances and 16 trips to at least the regional finals. The Pilots defeated Mason 2-1 back on Aug. 30 in the two-day Traverse City Showcase. The Bulldogs defeated De La Salle 3-2 in last year’s state semifinals and that game featured double-overtime and a shootout to decide the winner (Mason held a 4-3 edge on PKs).
“I expect it will be a really close game again. De La Salle is a lot like us. They play a tough schedule every year, they are well-coached and they always have a lot of really good players,” offered Derby. “I can see it being a one-goal game again and who knows, it may be one of those close games that goes to overtime again – at least.”
DIVISION 2
Warren De La Salle Collegiate
State Champions – 1990, 1992, 1993, 2000, 2005
State Runner-Up – 1994
Final Four Appearances – 1984, 1987, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1997, 2000, 2005, 2011, 2018, 2023, 2024
Final Four Losses – 1984, 1987, 1997, 2011, 2018, 2023
Regional Champions – 1984, 1987, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1997, 2000, 2005, 2011, 2018, 2023, 2024
Regional Finals Losses – 1998, 2004, 2008
Mason
State Champions – 1989, 1990, 1997, 2015
State Runner-Up – 1986, 2023
Final Four Appearances – 1986, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1997, 2005, 2014, 2015, 2023, 2024
Final Four Losses – 1992, 1993, 2005, 2014
Regional Champions – 1986, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1997, 2005, 2014, 2015, 2023
Regional Finals Losses – 2002, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2012
Grand Rapids Christian
State Champions – 1998, 2001, 2021, 2023
State Runner-Up – None
Final Four Appearances – 1988, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2021, 2023, 2024
Final Four Losses – 1988, 1997, 2000
Regional Champions – 1988, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2021, 2023, 2024
Regional Finals Losses – 2011, 2017, 2018
Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern
State Champions – 2019
State Runner-Up – 2015, 2018
Final Four Appearances – 2015, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2024
Final Four Losses – 2022
Regional Champions – 2015, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2024
Regional Finals Losses – 2001, 2013, 2016
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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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