Fraser

Ford II boys soccer team downs Birmingham Groves, moves on to state semis

By Jason Carmel Davis
C & G Sports Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo by David Schreiber The Utica Ford II boys soccer team got past Birmingham Groves 1-0 in an MHSAA Division 1 regional final played Oct. 26 at Fraser High. Pictured is Falcons junior midfielder Costa Wells, who scored the match's only goal. Photo by David Schreiber The Utica Ford II boys soccer team got past Birmingham Groves 1-0 in an MHSAA Division 1 regional final played Oct. 26 at Fraser High. Pictured is Falcons junior midfielder Costa Wells, who scored the match's only goal.

FRASER — Utica Ford II junior midfielder Costa Wells scored his second title-winning goal of the playoffs, as his first-half strike put the Falcons into the state semifinals as Ford II got past Birmingham Groves 1-0 in a regional final Oct. 26 at Fraser High.

Wells got a pass from senior midfielder/defender Drew Niewoit that he was able to kick past Groves junior goalkeeper Kevin Simpson at 27:39 of the first half.

"(Niewoit) actually took the ball from a defender and hitme with a pass right through the middle," said Wells, who also scored the goal that gave Ford II a district title Oct. 19 against Warren De La Salle. "It was a breakaway from there and all I had to do was slide it into the net."

Ford II (12-6-5) moves on to play Grand Blanc in a Division 1 state semi, set for 6 p.m. Oct. 31 at Lake Orion High. The winner of that matchup will play in the state title game Nov. 3. The time and site of the game were not available at press time.

Ford II coach Teri Steinwascher called the goal brilliant. She added that her defense and goalkeeping have been stellar during the run.

"Kyle Kline has been great," said Steinwascher, acknowledging her goalkeeper who hasn't allowed a goal the entire postseason. "They stayed cool and calm, and now they're regional champs."

Groves (12-6-8) had its chances in the second half. A shot by Groves junior Iain Mason with 17:13 to play went just wide of the net.

The Ford II keeper also made a leaping, one-handed save to stop a shot near the crossbar with 14:15 left to preserve the lead.

"You just have to react to shots like that and that's what I did," Kline said.

"We talked about early in the game not making the mistake that would cost us the game," Groves coach Jim Stachura said. "We thought we were ready for the game. We made adjustments and left goals on the field. We just didn't capitalize on their opportunities."

Ford II advanced to the regional final after knocking off Grosse Pointe South 3-0 in a regional semi played Oct. 23 at Fraser. Ford II earlier beat De La Salle 1-0 to win its district title Oct. 19 at Chippewa Valley.

Groves got to the regional final by downing Macomb L’Anse Creuse North 4-1 in a regional semi Oct. 23 at Fraser. Groves bested Berkley High 3-2 in overtime to win its D-1 district title Oct. 19 at Berkley.

For more information on the MHSAA state soccer playoffs, check www.candgnews.com or www.mhsaa.com.

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Jason Carmel Davis at jdavis@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1107. Follow Jason Carmel on Twitter.