BOOT trophy goes to Western after 2-0 shutout of Central

Two bitter rivals met on the soccer pitch on Thursday, Sept. 15 as Walled Lake Western came away with a 2-0 shutout of Walled Lake Central.

The win moved Western to within three points of the Vikings in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association (KLAA) North Division. Central (7-3 overall, 4-1 in the KLAA North) is in first-place with 12 points, while Walled Lake Northern is second with 10 and Western (5-2-2, 3-1) is third with 9.

The first half was scoreless before Steven Massie scored four minutes into the second half off an assist from Matt Klink.

Then Ryoga Suzuki scored for the Warriors off a corner kick by Klink.

Jacob Hague posted the shutout in net for Western, which was awarded the BOOT trophy after the win.

“The BOOT is a trophy decided between both schools. This is the 20th time we’ve done this,” said Western Head Coach Lee Fruman. “This was a good win for our seniors because this is very important to them.”

Last Thursday’s loss marked Central’s first in the division this season.

“We had chances but didn’t finish,” said Central Head Coach Joel Sharpe. “Western then got a couple of opportunities and converted.”

Central started the week on a high note with a 4-2 victory at home over Huron Valley Lakeland on Tuesday, Sept. 13.

Jimmy O’Brien and Connor Lund each scored in the first half to give Central a 2-0 halftime advantage.

Evan Dunn and Bryan Maxwell then each scored a goal for Central in the second half after being credited with an assist each in the first half.

Nick Cundiff picked up the win in net for the Vikings.

Central also scored a 4-1 victory over West Bloomfield on Saturday, Sept. 17.

Alex Besh leads the Vikings with 11 goals on the season while Maxwell and Rob Woodward are positioned in the middle and Austin Servo and Tyler Caswell patrol on defense.

Meanwhile, Western defeated Waterford Mott, 3-1, on the road on Tuesday, Sept. 13.

Ben Delnick scored off an assist from Hague before Massi scored off a deflection from Chace Davies from a cross by David Espinal for a 2-0 halftime lead.

Davies then scored off an assist from Massie in the second half to put the match away.

Colin Larkin scored Mott’s only goal on a penalty kick rebound.

Central played at Walled Lake Northern on Tuesday, Sept. 20 while Western hosted Lakeland.

Western will welcome Northern on Thursday, Sept. 22 while Central hosts Waterford Kettering.