When the spirits thought the visiting Caro team was ready for another performance after the last win, the outcome was completely and totally different and misleading. Despite the beautiful summer afternoon on a freshly cut grass, the Tigers were not in the game at the start since the focus and concentration were absent from their minds. Just to add to the whole picture, Junior Aaron Pierce was not part of the trip since he called in sick. It's one thing to coach these kids to learn this game and deliver a good performance, however, it's a completely different thing to prepare them mentally at the start of the game. Again, and again, the Tigers failed to mark a key player (#7 Sophomore Connor Etzel) who scored a quick goal and made most of the plays to disturb the Caro defense. The talented team from Bad Axe was playing a triangular passing system which was very successful and put the Tigers out of their comfort zone. Two (2) additional goals were scored with the same root cause for the defensive squad. Captain and Senior Trevin Phillips experienced a foot injury from the previous game and his performance decreased dramatically but he kept fighting for his team. A true leader! The coach had to take him out a couple of times since Phillips was agonizing with the pain. Senior and Captain Jon Mozden, Sophomore Josiah Anderson and Freshman Ryan Will stepped up to the plate to compensate for the reduced performance of their leader. Again, an unmarked player from Bad Axe was able to retrieve the rebound ball to shoot it at a close range and score. Obviously, the Caro defense was overwhelmed with these talented forward players from Bad Axe. Freshman John Reyes stepped up his game by trapping the ball twice but with some consequences since he ended up with a bleeding nose. Reyes raised his game and did his best to show what he's got by challenging his opponents. Half time whistle was blown with the 4-0 advantage for the hosts from Bad Axe.

Half time speech consisted of the coach insisting on the lack of focus and intensity within the first few minutes which cost our team the first quick goal in 2 minutes scored by a forgotten opponent. The coach has seen this movie already and told his players various times, #7, #7, and #7! Who was marking this player? The coach reminded his players that this game is about smarts and they need to identify the most skilled and key player to shut them down and don't let them do comfortably whatever they want . The Tigers must put a fight on each game, think and analyze situations, and those skills are not teachable but start from within with self confidence like everything else in life!

The second half started with more determination from the visitors and tried to contain the hungry and happy hosting team. Another goal was scored on a Penalty Kick since the Bad Axe player was tripped in the critical box. The coach decided to give more play time to the new young players and put them to the test since the game was out of reach and the hosts were totally dominating the game, although Captain Phillips managed to get a shot on goal on a breakaway. It was just a matter of time that you see the difference on the skill levels to have Bad Axe add 3 more goals to end the game with 14 minutes to the game.

Freshman John Reyes was game 9 MVP player against Bad Axe as he stepped up to the plate to raise his game and take one for his team hitting the ball with his nose resulting in bleeding while trying to trap the ball with his chest. He played a much better defensive game hassling and marking his opponents the best he could.

Captain, Junior and Goaltender Coby Fetting made a total of 22 saves averaging now 12 saves per game!

Next game will be away tomorrow Thursday September 19 at Oscoda (3550 E River Road) at 5:00 pm. BUS LEAVES AT 1:45 PM FROM CARO HIGH SCHOOL.