Dreadnaughts End Chelsea Invitational with Pair of Wins

By Alex Hardie

The Dexter High School boys' varsity soccer team entered Saturday's Chelsea Invitational ready to rebound from their  last week.

The Dreadnaughts' first opponent would be the host Chelsea Bulldogs, who defeated the Dreads 2-1.

Both teams had to deal with some poor officiating, with the Bulldogs benefiting the most after being awarded a penalty kick that became the game winner.

Dexter Coach Scott Forrester drew a caution after his keeper was injured by an opposing player resulting in a Dread-free kick.

“My keeper took a hard kick well after he cleared the ball. The player should have been cautioned, and that’s what I politely asked the referee about,” Forrester explained.

Goalkeeper Rhys Moller had to be removed, but returned later in the game.

Dexter struck first with a goal from Max Amann, a German exchange student, after receiving a pass from Andrew Foghel with just less than four minutes left in the half.

Midway through the second half, the Bulldogs equalized on a solid finish and took the lead when keeper Trenton Aeschliman retaliated for being punched. As he was cautioned, Moller returned to the game to face the ensuing penalty.

With seven minutes left in the game, Chelsea’s player buried the kick for the 2-1 victory.

The second pool match of the day pitted Carlson High School against the Dreads. Just over two minutes into the first half, Amann took a pass from Robert Pap and converted for the first goal of the match. Less than a minute later, Jake Kilian benefited from a pass from Nils Valdmanisto to put the Dreads up 2-0. 

Foghel finished the first half scoring when he received the ball from Valdmanis, allowing Dexter to take a three-goal lead into half-time.

Carlson held the Dreads scoreless for just over 10 minutes, but that ended when Max Amann took a corner-kick and scored for Dexter, followed by a score by Valdmanis.

Dexter’s last goal was set up when Bryce Pederson passed to Foghel, who redirected the ball past the last Carlson defender creating a breakaway.

Late in the game, Carlson took advantage of Dexter's defense to make the final score 5-1.

Dexter’s last match of the day found the Dreadnaughts facing the Trojans from Plainwell. The lone tally would come with 12 minutes into the first half.

Valdmanis struck from 25 yards out. Rhys Moller was credited with the shut-out, the first of the season for the defense.

Valdmanis, with his two goals and two assists, was voted onto the All-Tournament Team.