The Dux Varsity soccer team got another great conference win last night as they took on a very scrappy and physical Mona Shores team in Muskegon.  Coming off a weekend tournament win the Dux looked to continue their winning ways.  The game against Mona seemed to be very evenly matched to start as both teams looked to control possession.  Mona did not offer to many dangerous offensive threats and the Dux missed a couple of early opportunities as a quality cross just got away from Sophomore Zach Anderson and it was sent over te top of the goal.  Trigev Elkins and Micah Henry both had shots on frame but Mona's Keeper was well positioned to make the saves. Mona got on the board 1st as a long ball was sent over the top of the Dux defense who up to that point had been playing very well.  A few moments of poor defense led to a rifle of a shot that found the side netting to put Mona up 1-0.  Not even 1 minute later the Dux equalized after Trigve Elkins took the pass off of the restart, made his way through 4 or 5 Mona defenders and calmly beat the keeper to even things at 1 just before half.  The 2nd half started a little slow for the Dux as Mona ramped up their defensive pressure and continued a relentless attack with long ball after long ball but the Dux defense stood tall.  The Dux picked up their offense presence and almost put in a 2nd goal as Micah Henry took a ball on the left wing, beat a defender and placed a beautiful ball the went off of a Mona defender and hit the post.  A few other quality crosses were just missed and a beautiful shot by Gael Garcia went just over the top of the goal.   The Dux did eventually break through when Micah Henry took another ball on a dummy run from Trigve, beat 2 defenders and placed the ball smoothly through the goal keepers legs to put the Dux up 2-1.  Mona continued to press but goalie Lucas Smith and the Dux defense would not break.  The final was an outstanding 2-1 victory for the Dux who up to that point had never won at Mona Shores.  This was a tremendous game for us a we look to finish off our conference schedule Thursday back in Muskegon against a very good Reeths-Puffer team.  We look forward to another challenge on the road before finishing the regular season at home next week!

The boys varsity soccer team had a big week this week and looked to stay undefeated as they headed into Saturday against a very talented and well coached Allendale team.   An early pre season scrimmage saw the Falcons walk away with a 7-5 win.  The Dux looked to avenge that outing.  The game began pretty evenly with both teams looked to control possession early.  The Dux maintained a very strong stance defensively as Allendale looked to try and split seams and find runners.  The Dux continued to answer the call as they began to frustrate the Allendale attack.  We knew that Allendale is great in the air and really tried to keep them out of free kick situations that would allow them to utilize that strength.  The Dux offered 2 quality scoring opportunities for themselves in the 1st half but could not find the target.  The half ended tied at 0's.  The 2nd half the Dux stepped up their offensive attack and began putting more pressure on the Falcon defense.  Their best opportunity of the day came from Micah Henry as he found a through to his feet, he cut inside to near post and hit a beautiful outside of the right foot shot that hit the post.  It followed back him but he could not put it away.   The Falcons almost got on the board on a rebound from a Lucas Smith save that went just wide.  Lucas was outstanding again in net as he continued his stellar goalkeeping.  Along with the Dux defense the team has only allowed 2 goals this season.  The team continues to get better and their hard work is paying off.  We went toe to toe with a very good team today and shut them out.  We had opportunities that alot of times we finish.  The game ended 0-0 and the Dux remain undefeated on the season.  This group of guys is really geling as a team and really work hard to be better every day.  The tough road continues as the Dux welcome the Dutch of Holland High at home on Tuesday, followed by Muskegon home on Thursday and the Tiger tournament in Allegan Saturday.

The Dux went back to back playing Wyoming on Tuesday night only to turn around and head to Byron Center to take on a really good Bulldogs team last night.  Byron Center took control of the game early and pressed forward really testing our defense.  They were able to push attack after attack for the 1st 5 minutes or so but the defense didn't waiver and it was sound.  The Bulldogs really moved the ball well and were tactically very organized but again a strong defense held and kept them off the board.  The Dux mustered a few scoring opportunities in the 1st half but it ended 0-0.  The 2nd half the Dux adjusted a little more and were able to control more of the game.  They pushed the ball forward, were more aggressive, especially on 50/50 balls,  and really began to put some pressure on the Byron Center Defense.  The game continued back and forth with the teams moving up and down the field very quickly.  The best scoring opportunities for the Dux came in the last 10 minutes as they pushed and created really good scoring opportunities but just could not sneak it by a very good Byron Keeper.  Equally as good in net was Lucas Smith for the Dux as he posted his 4th clean sheet in 5 matches.  With the help of some solid defense the Dux remain undefeated on the season at 4-0-1.  They look to continue the hot start next week with 3 games.  They travel to Grand Rapids Union on Tuesday, at Zeeland East on Thursday, and then at Allendale on Saturday.  We are very much looking forward to those challenges next week and we are hoping to be fully healthy as we head into those matches.

Tuesday night the Dux varsity boys took on Wyoming High school, a team they have not beat in several years.  The contests always seemed close but we were not able to come out on top until tonight.  The boys clawed their way to a 2-1 victory over a very technically skilled Wolves team.  The pace through out the game was very high energy and counter attacks seemed to be the theme.  Wyoming controlled possession through most of the 1st half but the Dux defense stood strong led by Junior goal keeper Lucas Smith.  The Dux got on the board 1st just 8 minutes into the game as Pace Bittrick placed a well time ball from Micah Henry to put the Dux up 1-0.  Wyoming countered quickly and just a few minutes later equalized on a low shot that squirted under a diving Smith to tie the game at 1.  With just over 6 minutes to go Ivan Michmerhuizen headed a ball off of a free kick and it bounced around only to find it's way into the net to put the Dux up 2-1.  The half would end up with the Dux on top.  The 2nd half saw more chances by both teams with both keepers making some excellent saves to keep the score 2-1.  The Wolves pushed the attack as time wound down but the defense held and the Dux walked away a 2-1 winner to stay undefeated on the young season.  I thought our team showed some real grit in a game that was very physical.  We got knocked down but we kept fighting and really showed some toughness.  I was very proud of how the boys handle their emotions and kept them in check.  They continue to learn and find ways to win.

The Zeeland West Boys Varsity Soccer team got off to a great start to the regular season by going 3-0 at the Wayland invitational soccer tournament today.  The Dux started things off well with a 3-0 win over Coopersville.  The Dux controlled possession through most of the game and really put a clamp defensively on the Coopersville attack.  Micah Henry got the scoring going half way through the 1st half as Brandon Taylor from his center back position played a beautiful through ball that found Henry's feet and he did the rest slipping it by the Broncos keeper.  The half ended 1-0.  Trigve Elkins added to the Dux score just 1:32 into the 2nd half after Micah Henry had hos shot stopped and Trigve was there to clean it up and make it 2-0.  The Dux finished off the scoring when again Taylor from his defensive position slipped another ball through to a streaking Henry who calmly put it away.  The Dux got a well deserved break before their 2nd game against the host Wayland Wildcats.  This game featured several opportunities for both teams but none found the back of the net.  The closest for the Dux came from Andrew Zimmer as his shot in the 2nd half hit the top cross bar.  Lucas Smith made his presence known in net as he made several key saves to keep the hosts off the scoreboard.  He simply played outstanding.  The game finished in a 0-0 tie and went ot a penalty shootout.  The Dux went first as Trigve Elkins stepped to the spot and on the whistle rifled th ball past a diving Wildcat keeper to put the Dux up 1-0.  The score tied up after Wayland's first shooter found the back of the net.  Pace Bittrick stepped up next for the Dux and hit his shot which was saved by the Wayland keeper but the spin of the ball carried it over the goal line to put the Dux up 2-1.  The next Wayland shooter hit the top left part of the crossbar which kept the lead 2-1.  Jehu Cavada stepped up next for the Dux but his shot was stopped clean by the Wildcat keeper.  The next shooter for Wayland stepped up and hit a great shot that was saved by Lucas Smith.  The officials called Smith for movement off of his line which gave the Wayland shooter another shot.  Again Smith was up to the challenge as he made another outstanding save to keep it 2-1.  Next up for the Dux was Austin O'Connell who smoothly played his shot low and under a diving Wildcat keeper to put the Dux up 3-1.  The 4th shooter for Wayland calmly played his shot opposite of a diving Smith to close the gap to 3-2.  The 5th shooter for the Dux was Micah Henry who stepped up to the shot and confidently put his shot away to seal the victory for the Dux in an exciting 2nd game.  The Dux had little time to celebrate or rest as they played their last of 3 games immediately following the shootout.  The Dux 3rd opponent was Grand Rapids West Michigan Aviation.  The Dux again got on the board 1st as Micah Henry went unassisted over the keeper to go up 1-0.  The half would end that way with 30 more minutes separating the Dux from a clean sheet and tournament champions.  The Dux found the back of the net 2 more times in the 2nd half on goals by Trigve Elkins on a nice turn and shoot that found the corner on an assist from Pace Bittrick and Joel Meengs finished the scoring off a header on a corner from Micah that somehow slipped into the corner of the goal.  The Dux finished the day undefeated and with out conceding a goal in regulation.  a great start to a promising season.  There were contributions from everyone today and we really played well as a team against some tough opponents.  We are looking forward to getting back on the pitch Tuesday home against the Wolves of Wyoming.  JV starts us off at 5 and Varsity will follow at 6:45.