HART – There are a lot of holes that need to be filled in Hart’s boys soccer program after a hefty loss of seniors from last year’s squad. That was evident early in the Pirates’ opening home tournament Saturday, Aug. 16.
Without Emmanuel Ortega, Adan Cruz and Tyler Larios-Mendez in the middle, Hart needed to find some others to help control possession and feed the ball to their strikers. Added to the questions in the midfield, was the absence of Chase Lorenz’s speed up top, after the senior decided to play football in 2025.
All of that, plus a line of new defenders, formed a perfect storm in the Pirates’ first game of the morning – a 5-2 loss to Brooklyn Columbia Central.
The Golden Eagles controlled the pace of play throughout, scoring two goals in the first 15 minutes of play, and adding two more before the first half expired.
Hart tried to answer, but struggled to find open passing lanes. The Pirates’ lone goal of the first half came with 15 minutes remaining, on a strike from junior Cris Santiago. That led Hart to another goal to start the second half, this time courtesy of Adrian Belmares. Columbia finished things off at 5-2, leaving Hart in hopes of redemption in game two.
The Pirates were able to fight back with a much more polished style of play in game two. Hart took on Maple City Glen Lake in their final game of the day, earning a 2-2 tie.
Starting the season off at 0-1-1 wasn’t what first-year coach Jonah Kelley wanted, but an early season wake up call may be what a young Pirates’ squad needs to get ready before the long drag of the West Michigan Conference (WMC) schedule begins.
