Kalamazoo Christian seems to always stick right around the top three in the division four state rankings. This year is no different as they came into Bulldog Stadium ranked second in Michigan, while Otsego held down the fifth place ranking a division above the Comets. Last year's scrap took 79 minutes and 44 seconds to produce a goal. A goal from Cait Kitchen that sealed the win in what was a deadlocked match on a cold and rainy morning. This year there was a chill in the air, but the day was perfect for soccer! Both teams were poised and ready to defend their rankings and put on a show between the lines.

Both squads love to keep the ball, and Christian was the better of the two in possession early. Otsego's team defense was put to the test, and the Comets asked questions of them organizationally with every trip up the field. The Dawgs held steady, and keeper Matti Rayman came up with a couple crucial saves and cross collections early that snuffed out the opponents' attack. Set pieces would prove to be very important on the day for each team. Christian is noted for being very dangerous from free kicks, but lacks in the department of defending them. Otsego has defended them well for the majority of the season, but had a few hiccups early on that caused concern. Otsego got the first break from a corner kick served by Alison Diller to the head of Rylie Henckel. Rylie headed the ball down toward the far post and it nestled into the side netting putting her team up 1-0. Just a minute later, the connection was reversed with Rylie turning provider this time with a lovely diagonal ball into the path of Diller. Alison still had work to do in putting a bouncing ball past an onrushing keeper just inside the 18, but she successfully doubled her team's lead.

After being up 2-0 at half, and having trouble adjusting to the Comets' unusual style of play, Otsego made a few adjustments and set back out in the second half ready for what was certain to be an energized Kalamazoo Christian squad. The duo of Alexis Petty and Lauren Nieboer worked hard to shut down the opposition targets on a few free kicks and corners, and they were put to the test often as Christian earned 4 corners in the second half. The Dawgs' wide players were tasked with dealing with the Comets' pace out wide, and they did a solid job nullifying them. As expected, Christian got a goal from a set piece late on, though it probably wasn't exactly how they drew it up. After a cleared corner, the Comets got a second and third chance service into the box. Otsego failed to clear the ball the third time, and as it dropped a Comets player put it through the traffic and in the back of the net from 7 yards out. Though Christian kept attacking, they found no way through in the final minutes of play and could not get a leveling goal. 

A great test for both teams, and a really energetic and fun affair from either perspective. Tough tests are what young players need in order to prepare them for the road ahead, and that is exactly what this one provided for two teams who have big aspirations in their respective conferences and divisions.