By Jon Malavolti
C & G Sports Writer

Grosse Pointe University Liggett’s boys soccer team had its season ended with a 2-1 loss in double overtime to Harbor Beach High in a Division 4 regional semifinal at Auburn Hills Oakland Christian Oct. 22.

Liggett senior Jack Fisher scored in the first half, but Harbor Beach tied the game in the second half before eventually winning with a goal in the second 15-minute sudden-death overtime.

While Knights coach David Backhurst was disappointed after the loss, the youth of his team leaves him with room for optimism looking ahead to next season.

“I’m still in shock from the loss, but over the next nine months, I’ll be recharged and ready to challenge for the top spot in (Division 4),” Backhurst said Oct. 24. “I like our chances a lot, with a great core of to-be seniors. They will be bigger, stronger and faster.”

The Knights graduate just a pair of senior starters, while eight juniors, three sophomores and two freshmen should return to make the squad better.

But first, Backhurst must figure out how to replace those graduating seniors — forward and co-captain Jack Fisher and midfielder/defender Andrew Callewaert.

Callewaert is a two-year varsity veteran and helped lead a stalwart Knights defense.

“He did a very commendable job,” Backhurst said.

Fisher, meanwhile, was a four-year starter for the Knights. The dangerous offensive star recorded 30 goals this season — the third highest single-season total in Liggett history.

He was a first-team Metro Conference selection this season and earned Division 4 third-team All-State honors last season.

“He will be missed, a lot,” said Backhurst, referring to Fisher.

Junior co-captains Dan Zukas and Mark Ghafari, a midfielder and goalkeeper, respectively, will look to lead the team next year.

Liggett finished the season 11-8-1 overall, 4-6 in the Metro Conference. Despite battling both bigger schools and injuries — tough challenges to overcome for the small-numbered Knights squad — the team’s fourth-place finish is commendable.

“We did fight through several injuries with a thin bench, and I’m particularly proud of our battles against much larger schools such as (Macomb) Lutheran North, (Bloomfield Hills) Cranbrook (Kingswood) and Hamtramck High.”

During the regular season, the Knights fell 2-1 to Lutheran North — a Division 3 regional finalist — and 2-0 to Cranbrook, which was undefeated before losing in a Division 2 district final. They beat Hamtramck, a Division 2 district finalist, 2-1 in a shootout on the road.

You can reach Sports Writer Jon Malavolti at jmalavolti@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1040.