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Writer's pictureDan Stickradt

BOYS SOCCER: No. 1 stunner: Byron Center upsets top-ranked Portage Central for first regional title




(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


GRANDVILLE, Mich. – Brody Leyendecker and Kaleb Smith made some history Thursday night.


The Byron Center duo hooked up in the 54th minute, with Leyendecker, a senior, serving the ball up to the junior Kaleb Smith, who buried his shot into the back of the net. Byron Center’s defense made it stand as the Bulldogs, honorable mention in the Division 1 state rankings, shocked top-ranked and previously-unbeaten Portage Central 1-0 in the Division 1 regional finals at Grandville High School.


Portage Central, which still finished with a 19-1-3 record, lost in the regional finals for the third straight year.


Byron Center (18-4-1), which previously captured a district title in 2019 and this year, advanced to the state semifinals for the first time in school history. The Bulldogs will face fourth-ranked Oxford (16-1-5) at 7 p.m. Oct. 30 at East Lansing High School.


Luke Philo registered 10 saves for Byron Center, which is a first-time state semifinalist along with Oxford, its next opponent. Oxford defeated unranked Novi Detroit Catholic Central 1-0 in a another regional finals match that featured double-overtime and a 5-4 edge on penalty kicks in the shootout to lift the Wildcats to the regional title and into the Final Four.


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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.)





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Contact both Broadcast Director Jonathan Turner at 248-525-2083 or jonathan@thepremeiermediagrp.com and Web and Content Editor / Director of News Dan Stickradt at (248) 525-2349 and dstickradt@thepremeiermediagrp.com.

 




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