MICHIGAN GIRLS SOCCER: Unbeaten Otsego continues fast start with fourth straight shutout
- Dan Stickradt
- Apr 22
- 3 min read
NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com
OTSEGO, Mich. – Over the past 30-plus years, the Wolverine Conference has been dominated by Plainwell when it comes to boys soccer and girls soccer.
Very few schools can match Plainwell when it comes to overall conference crowns and top-flight finishes.
At least this year, Otsego would like to change that trend.
The Division 2 state-ranked Bulldogs continued one of their best-ever starts Monday when they blanked visiting Niles 8-0 in a conference home game.
Otsego (6-0-0, 2-0-0) scored all eight goals between the sixth and 57th minutes and cruised to the win.
Peyton Dennany set the tone in the sixth minute with her first of two goals on the night. Deennany also scored in the 31st minute to push the lead to 5-0.
Otsego led 5-0 at the half.
“This was a good opportunity for some of our role players to play a ton of minutes, and for players to move around within our formation,” offered Otsego coach Lavi Butcher. “It wasn't highly competitive from the opening whistle, but I was happy our girls showed patience and poise in breaking down what was basically a nine-defender system for Niles. We also spread the scoring around, which was nice to see.”
The unbeaten Bulldogs also picked up two goals and an assist from Lexi Gross in the mercy-shortened contest. Constantine Taylor, Sydney Simmons, Reagan Engbers and Alivia Kuiper also scored, while Haylee Dennany picked up two assists. Olivia Witteveen and Ruby Gerst had single helpers in the win.
Zoe Alkire played the first 52 minutes, while Maddie Ragan played the last four-plus minutes to share the shutout. It marked the fourth straight clean sheet turned in b y the Otsego netminders and team defense.
“Our back line has been playing outstanding soccer so far this year,” added Butcher. “Through six matches, we've allowed only nine shots on goal, two goals, and we are currently on a streak of four clean sheets.”
Otsego owns a 26-2 scoring edge with the four shutouts. The Bulldogs defeated Kalamazoo Christian (2-1) and North Muskegon (2-1) in their first two games of the season – two Division 4 powerhouses programs that have captured state titles in the last five years – but have not been scored upon since those two matches.
The Bulldogs also own wins over Allegan (3-0), Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep (5-0) Vicksburg (2-0) and now Niles (8-0). Vicksburg finished second in the Wolverine Conference last season.
Otsego finished third in the eight-school Wolverine Conference last season at 5-2-0 and 15-5-1 overall. In a competitive district that featured five schools that were ranked or honorable mention in the rankings last year, the Bulldogs finished 2-1 before losing to Richland-Gull Lake (1-0) in a Division 2 district finals.
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