SUTTONS BAY -- What started off slow seems to be only picking up steam.
After Suttons Bay started the season with three losses and two ties in its first five contests, probably not a lot of people were thinking the Norsemen had a shot at the state finals.
But coach Randy U'Ren was.
The Norsemen have bounced back by amassing a 17-3-0 record since and will play in today's Division 4 state semifinal against No. 4-ranked Hudsonville Freedom Baptist (17-6-1), which upset No. 2 Muskegon Western Michigan Christian 2-1 in overtime after WMC had won both regular-season meetings.
"Trying to beat the same team three times in the same year is difficult," U'Ren said. "We weren't too surprised."
Defending state champion Petoskey (20-3-1) plays Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood (15-5-1) in a Division 2 semifinal at 6 p.m. in Midland. Suttons Bay, ranked seventh, plays in Holton at 6 p.m.
"I know they have a few great players and the rest are very good," U'Ren said of Freedom Baptist. "They are fast, physical -- but not dirty -- and like to pressure the opposition. We expect a high intensity game."
The Falcons have had seven different players score goals this postseason, led by 10 points from Shane Barthuly (four goals, six assists). Zach Gatlin leads the team with five playoff goals while Ryan DeBoer, who scored the OT game-winner against WMC, has three.
Freedom Baptist goalie Ethan Davis has 11 shutouts this season and 26 for his career -- good for 14th in MHSAA history. But that doesn't give him the school record, which is held by Freedom Baptist JV coach J.D. Miller with 31.
"We're going to have to play pretty much perfect to beat them," forward Ryan Manning said.
Suttons Bay will counter with an offense led by Danny Holmes and Manning and goaltender Jared Orban.
This is the third time in five seasons that the Norsemen have made it the semifinals, but U'Ren thinks this could be the team to take that next step.
"As good as we were (in 2007), I don't think we were ready to take the next step to really beat a great team," U'Ren said. "The way these guys play together, we're going to be the underdog, but we have the belief that if we play our best we'll have a shot. We know more of what to expect now. Last year, we played the state runner-up in the regional final and lost 1-0, and we almost had them. So we knew last year we could play with anybody in the state. And this year, we feel we're a better team than last year. I wouldn't say I like our odds, but I feel this is a team that could make something very special happen."
The Norsemen got by Burt Lake Northern Michigan Christian Academy 3-0 on a damp, cold night last Thursday -- one that was made even colder for U'Ren when Holmes dumped a water jug on the coach as the team was getting ready for a photo on the field.
"That was a the best cold shower I've ever had," U'Ren said. "That felt good. I never expected that."
NOTEBOOK: The other Division 4 semifinal is No. 1 Ann Arbor Greenhills (24-1) against No. 10 Grosse Pointe University Liggett (14-7-1). ... If No. 3-ranked Petoskey beats Cranbrook, the winner of No. 5 Plainwell (22-3-1) and No. 1 Hudsonville Unity (21-1-2) would await in the title game. ... Muskegon WMC coach Dave Hulings had a heart attack several days before the Warriors' game against Hudsonville Baptist, but was still on the sidelines.
Two steps left
Both Petoskey and Suttons Bay are playing in today's boys soccer semifinals.
DIVISION 2
MATCHUP: Petoskey (20-3-1) at Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood (15-5-1)
WHERE: Midland High School
WHEN: 6 p.m.
DIVISION 4
MATCHUP: Suttons Bay (17-6-2) vs. Hudsonville Freedom Baptist (17-6-1)
WHERE: Holton High School
WHEN: 6 p.m.
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