NORTH MANCHESTER – The Manchester Squires had plenty of reasons to celebrate Wednesday evening.
So they did ... with pictures galore, and then a team dinner.
Hosting the North Miami Warriors in the Three Rivers Conference boys soccer finale for both teams, the Class 2A No. 12 Squires honored their seniors at halftime, and then sent them out in style with a 4-0 win.
The victory, which avenged a disappointing loss at North Miami last year, pushed the Squires’ record to 14-0 overall and gave them an outright TRC title at 7-0.
North Miami fell to 8-5 and 4-3.
The loss to North Miami a year ago is Manchester’s only conference setback in four years.
Needless to say, the Squires were eager to avenge that outcome.
“This is big, and it’s been on our calendar since last year,” Manchester coach Dave McKee said of the opportunity at redemption against North Miami.
“Like any sports team when they get that loss, we had them circled on our calendar. We knew they were not as strong as they were last year, and we played without Harley (Kruschwitz).”
Though Kruschwitz, one of Manchester’s top goal scorers, was on the sideline with an injury, the Squires still had plenty of firepower.
Senior Isaiah Davis’ goal in the 22nd minute was the only score of the first half.
He added a pair of goals in the second half, scoring in the 48th and 59th minutes to complete the hat trick.
Junior Caleb Stout scored in the 43rd minute, giving Manchester a 2-0 lead at the time.
“It’s pretty exciting,” Davis said of scoring three goals. “It’s my first hat trick of the season, and doing it on senior night makes it even more special ... pretty excited about that.
“I’m just glad we got the TRC championship ... we didn’t get it last year, because we lost to them last year. It feels good to beat them this year and get revenge.”
Konrad Borgmann, Manchester’s senior goalkeeper, may have been the loneliest person at Good Fields Wednesday.
Borgmann played all 80 minutes and didn’t face a shot attempt from the Warriors.
Manchester, on the other hand, assaulted North Miami senior keeper Canaan Scott with shot after shot.
That’s what the Squires have done to opposing goalies all season, and it’s why they’ve outscored their opponents 99-9.
“In 14 games, we’ve scored 99 goals,” said McKee. “Show me another team in the state that’s done that.”
Manchester closes the regular season with a game at South Adams Saturday, and then will play Peru Wednesday in the semifinals of the Maconaquah Sectional, as both teams drew a bye.
MANCHESTER 4, NORTH MIAMI 0
(Scoring)
M – Isaiah Davis (unassisted) 22nd min
M – Caleb Stout (Michael Wirsing) 43rd min
M – Davis (Stout) 48th min
M – Davis (Justin Self) 59th min
Records: North Miami 8-5 (4-3 TRC), Manchester 14-0 (7-0 TRC)
