Auburn Hills, Royal Oak

Avondale soccer steals win at Royal Oak with late goal

By Mike Moore
C & G Sports Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo by Patricia O'Blenes Avondale's Tiko Emretiyoma (12) moves the ball past Royal Oak's Josh Gagne during the Aug. 21 game. Emretiyoma scored a goal in Avondale's 2-1 win. Photo by Patricia O'Blenes Avondale's Tiko Emretiyoma (12) moves the ball past Royal Oak's Josh Gagne during the Aug. 21 game. Emretiyoma scored a goal in Avondale's 2-1 win.

ROYAL OAK — For one team, it was the second game of the season. For the other, the very first.

To both, it took on somewhat of a playoff feel.

“A great game,” Royal Oak High soccer coach Richard Thoma said following a 2-1 loss to Auburn Hills Avondale Aug. 21 at home. “To be this early in the season and have that kind of atmosphere was awesome. It really was like a playoff game.”

The Ravens broke a scoreless tie with 28:27 remaining in first half when Kenny Vincent found the back of the net.

The 1-0 lead carried into the second half before Avondale, the defending Division 2 champ, tied the game on a Tiko Emretiyoma goal.

The Yellow Jackets then snatched the win on an Erik Koberstein goal with all of 1:23 remaining in the game.

“It was a great start to the season,” Avondale coach Dave Muczynski said. “I mean, this was a fantastic start, an awesome effort. The kids fought all the way to the end.”

Avondale was playing its first game since winning the state title last fall.

“I guess we like those heart-wrenching games,” Muczynski added with a laugh. “Royal Oak is a great team going in the right direction. This was a great win for us.”

“We just made a mistake late, and they took advantage,” said Thoma, whose squad is now 1-1. “We’re big on limiting mistakes, and that’s something we’ll try and fix and move on from.”

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Mike Moore at mmoore@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1038. Follow Mike on Twitter.