With an undefeated performance in the Lakes Valley Conference, Milford’s varsity boys soccer team delivered its first championship in 38 years. Finishing an impressive 5-0-3 in-conference and 11-0-4 overall, the team won the LVC regular season and playoff tournament for the first time in school history.
The Mavericks bested South Lyon, 2-1 in the LVC Championship, the second win over the Lions, who finished second in the regular season. Neighboring high school Walled Lake Central, boasting an impressive record of 5-2-1 in conference, was one of the few teams Milford could not beat, as they tied, 1-1. It wasn’t Lakeland, but the Vikings that Senior Captain Tyler Hannert described as “our biggest rival this season.”
His leadership, along with three other captains, Ben Shaw, Andrew Lansberry, and Cullen Broyles, seemed to be the difference for the boys soccer team this year.bWith a strong bond among the team’s nine seniors and an experienced coaching staff, the team created an environment favorable for individual growth. As a result, several players seized the opportunity to shine, including senior Riley Gibson, who led the team with an impressive four goals off of set pieces in conference play. As Hannert puts it, “the team chemistry this year is phenomenal; these are people we’ve grown up with our whole lives.”
That communication led to Milford’s unique identity: defensive dominance.
Led by seniors Lucas McGrain and Shaw, and bolstered by senior goalkeeper and captain Andrew Lansberry—who dominated the LVC with a total of six shutouts—Milford’s defense continued to play a crucial role in their achievements. The team only gave up four goals in 11 LVC games, counting the tournament, and did not give up two goals in any game until the districts. A major reason for the team’s success is that players did not care about how often they scored.
“Everyone just seems to care more about winning,” Hannert said. “We just need to keep this mindset to secure the win.” Nonetheless, the team still was determined to finish with an even greater success story. While the LVC season had finished with an absolute victory, the district playoffs didn’t go as hoped, with the team suffering a tough loss to Hartland, 2-0 in district semifinals after coming in as the top seed. The Mavericks first loss was, unfortunately, their last game of the year.
Although ending the season on a low note, the boys still managed to make history, breaking numerous records and finishing off with an outstanding conference season.
Similarly enough, Milford boys are coming off the back of a spectacular season from the Milford girls team, who were guided by a group of experienced seniors. With Head Coach Thomas Hipple and assistant coach Ethan Bresnay’s strategic insight playing a key role in their victory, both programs have an optimistic outlook.
“No one’s bigger than the team,” said Hipple, reflecting on the emphasis on teamwork and collective success that both the boys and girls teams have embraced. “We’re like a family here.”
Even with the team being composed of so much seniority, the boys still have much to look forward to in the future. With juniors like Nick Dziedzic and Anthony Baidas poised to lead the team next year, Milford is sure to be in good hands. As Dziedzic puts it, “We want to carry on the changes the captains made this year, so we can find just as much success in the future.”
Given Milford’s status as a powerhouse throughout the 2024 season, there’s ample reason for optimism and confidence as they look ahead to what promises to be an exciting new chapter.
(Jerry Rae)
(Jerry Rae)