Fraser, Clinton Township

Fraser soccer falls in districts; Chippewa Valley done, too

By Jon Malavolti
C & G Sports Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo by Patricia O’Blenes Fraser High’s Mark Trombley surges ahead with the ball during a district semifinal game last week against Warren De La Salle. The Ramblers fell 2-1 to the Pilots. Photo by Patricia O’Blenes Fraser High’s Mark Trombley surges ahead with the ball during a district semifinal game last week against Warren De La Salle. The Ramblers fell 2-1 to the Pilots.

CLINTON TOWNSHIP – Fraser High’s boys soccer team’s season came to an end following a 2-1 loss to Warren De La Salle Oct. 17 at Chippewa Valley.

“The boys worked hard. I just thought maybe we were a little too nervous,” Ramblers coach Thaier Mukhtar said. “You’ve got to give credit to your opponent.”

The Ramblers and Pilots battled back and forth in a tense game, with De La Salle eventually emerging and advancing to the district final, where it lost to Utica Ford II 1-0.

For more details and photos from the semifinal showdown between Fraser and De La Salle, check out our website at www.candgnews.com.

While Mukhtar said his team was “disappointed” with the loss, he noted there are plenty of positives for the Ramblers.

“I think we’ve set the framework for a very successful program,” the coach said.

Fraser finished the season an impressive 14-3-3 overall.

“It’s been a very, very long time since a Fraser team has won 14 games,” Mukhtar said. “So it’s been a long time since we’ve been up to this stage. But I think we set the groundwork for it.”

The Ramblers also won the Macomb Area Conference White Division title, going 10-0-2 in league play.

Mukhtar credited his seniors for much of the team’s success.

“I’m very, very proud of my seniors,” the coach said. “They worked their tail off; they bought into the program. Without them buying into the program, we can’t do what we did this year.”

Graduating from the squad are Greg Petty, Thomas Mok, Jacob Kirck, Brandon Hejza, Mark Trombley, Donald Steffes, John Curnan, Henry Kernen, Abanoub Khalil and Jordan Giebas.

As for the younger, returning players, Mukhtar said the season-ending loss was “a tremendous learning experience.”

“When next year comes along, we can build on that,” he said.

Big Reds bow out, too

Chippewa Valley’s boys soccer team also saw its season come to an end in districts. The Big Reds fell 1-0 to Utica Ford Oct. 15. Chippewa wraps up the season 9-8-2 overall and 5-4-1 in the MAC Red and tied for second in the division.

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Jon Malavolti at jmalavolti@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1040. Follow Jon on Twitter.