Soccer: “Reloaded” Eagles play visiting Novi to 1-1 draw in season opener
The Eagles are on the runway and look ready to take off for another big season. It seems like yesterday that Skyline was celebrating a Division 1 state championship with a 2-0 win over East Kentwood at Novi High School but a lot has changed since the Eagles landed on the top of the mountain.
For one, and it’s a big one, 12 players off that championship team graduated. This team taking the field in 2019 is a lot different than the one that hoisted the ultimate trophy last season. Still, it’s Skyline soccer where the expectations are always high.
“We like to look at it as reloading and not rebuilding,” said Skyline Coach Chris Morgan.
The reloaded Eagles opened the season on Monday on the new turf at Skyline Stadium and played a talented Novi team to a 1-1 draw. The Wildcats led 1-0 at halftime but senior forward Bryce Schaner scored with 27:42 left in the game to net the equalizer.
SEE FULL PHOTOSTORY – 69 PHOTOS
“I think the first half we played a little scared,” Morgan said. “I think it was a nervous-scared. When we got into the locker room we told them to settle down and have some fun. Our first goal tonight was to come out healthy and we did that. Our second goal was to improve in every game. We had six scrimmages before this and I think the second half tonight was more how we played in our last scrimmage. We saw some good things tonight and learned some things about ourselves tonight.”
Senior Daniel Bennett was penciled in as the starting keeper this season to replace the outstanding Kyri Wixom, one of those 12 players who graduated. But Bennett had to have his appendix removed and will need a few weeks to get back in shape.
Morgan turned to Henry Lukela, a midfielder, to step in and play goal. And the junior delivered an outstanding performance, limiting the talented Wildcats to just the one goal. He made a huge diving save with 18 minutes left in the game to keep the Eagles level.
“He really came up big for us tonight,” Morgan said.
It’s all part of the blueprint that Morgan has been drawing since becoming head coach when the school first opened. And that blueprint has been working just fine – last year proved it can build big things.
The Eagles have an experienced roster, with just one freshman and two sophomores. They also have a very talented roster.
“We look at our roster and the players we have and we like what we see,” Morgan said. “Like I said, we like to think we are reloading as opposed to rebuilding but that remains to be seen.”
The Eagles head to Petoskey over the weekend for a tournament where they will play four games. Skyline returns home to play Detroit Catholic Central on Monday.
“We look at our roster and the players we have and we like what we see,” Morgan said. “Like I said, we like to think we are reloading as opposed to rebuilding but that remains to be seen.”
The Eagles head to Petoskey over the weekend for a tournament where they will play four games. Skyline returns home to play Detroit Catholic Central on Monday.
