Defense stands tall until final buzzer in Ocelots victory

Livonia, MI- Schoolcraft pushed their record to 1-1 with a conference victory over Muskegon Community College (0-1).

Saying the Ocelots started quickly might be an understatement, Gavin Brose would force a Muskegon turnover in the box and rip one past the keeper to give Schoolcraft a 1-0 lead in the first minute of play. From then on, Schoolcraft would keep the pressure on as the Ocelots would draw a Jayhawks foul in the box which brought on a penalty kick. In the 17^th minute of play, Matheus Barbosa would sneak it between the goalkeeper's outstretched arm and the right post to push the Ocelot lead to 2-0. Muskegon would get one back in the 35^th minute as Schoolcraft brought their now 2-1 lead into the half.

The Jayhawks would bring on a full out attack for the entire second half, but the Ocelots would hold their own on the defensive end. With about ten minutes left in the game, it had seemed like Gavin Lemere had scored for the Ocelots, but the official would have the offsides flag up in the air. Not even five minutes later, Muskegon would have a goal called back due to the same reason. The last five minutes of play saw a flurry of chances for Muskegon, but everyone pitched in on defense to block oncoming shots and help goalkeeper Brenden Ware preserve the Ocelots lead. The biggest save of the game came as time was expiring as Muskegon has one last ditch effort on a free kick from around 35 yards, but Ware would grab onto the ball as the horn would blow for the full 90 minutes.

Schoolcraft returns to the pitch on Wednesday, August 23 at 4:00pm as they travel to the #3 ranked Prairie State College (IL).