Canton unplugs Chargers for second straight district title
Lucas Maiolatesi advances the ball during Canton’s 3-0 district final victory over Dearborn Heights Crestwood.
The lower the sun fell beyond the Plymouth-Canton Educational Park’s west turf field Thursday night, the brighter the Canton boys soccer team’s chances of earning its second consecutive MHSAA Division 1 district championship.
By the time darkness had fallen, the Cobras had all but wrapped up the cherished wooden trophy that was awarded to the conquerors of one of the deepest districts in the state as they dominated Dearborn Heights Crestwood, which entered the night with just one loss on the season (according to the MHSAA website).
The landmarks of Canton’s 3-0 triumph were plentiful, including a trio of highlight-reel goals that ranged from an ideally-placed soft touch to a heat-seeking missile that, surprisingly, did not shred the back of the net.
Those two net-finders were sandwiched around a scoreboard-changing header that was so perfectly executed, it may end up in a corner-kick training video someday.
The road ahead
Now 11-8-2 (according to MHSAA.com), Canton advances to Tuesday’s 5 p.m. regional semifinal at Saline High School against the winner of Friday night’s Dearborn Edsel Ford-Allen Park match. Edsel Ford was ranked No. 13 in Division 1 in the regular-season state rankings by the Michigan High School Soccer Coaches Association.
“This feels awesome,” said Canton second-year head coach Mike Presley. “We’ve had a lot of ups and downs this season, we’ve played a lot of tough teams. But you know what, we’ve worked hard every day to get the opportunity to win this.
“I love these guys. From 1 to 25, they’ve all been putting in the work. I told them they have to earn it; nothing is owed to them. As Nick Saban once said: ‘What do you get if you don’t work? Nothin”.”
The Cobras’ work ethic was evident in the seconds before its opening goal. After Chase Haratsaris lofted a feathery-soft corner kick into a scrum in front of the net, Canton players outworked their foes to keep the ball in the danger zone.
Ultimately, the winners’ patience paid off when Jacob Rasoletti settled the ball from eight yards from the left post and rainbowed a shot into the upper-90 of the goal to give Canton a lead it would never relinquish.
Nocera strikes
With the game still in doubt mid-way through the second half, sophomore Antonio Nocera — who was promoted from the junior varsity during the season — slammed home a header off a perfect corner from Lucas Maiolatesi to double the Cobras’ lead to 2-0.
“Honestly, two-goal leads worry me because if the opponent scorews next, it gives them hope,” said Presley. “I’ve told the guys all season they can’t get comfortable just because they’re up two.”
The Cobras stayed locked-in — proof coming two minutes after Nocera’s goal when senior Maksim Argote launched a laser from 30 feet out that Crestwood’s keeper had no chance to keep out of the net.
Canton maintained its intensity down the stretch, winning 50-50 balls at a consistent rate.
Downs’ jersey number matched his goals allowed: 0
The winners’ defense was anchored by senior keeper Cam Downs, whose jersey number matched the number of goals he gave up against the always-dangerous Chargers.
“I’m very proud of this team and the work we’ve put in all season,” Downs said following the trophy presentation. “It’s fun to watch how well we pass the ball from where I’m standing.”
The Cobras finished 3-0 against the two other P-CEP teams this season. One of those victories stood out as a difference-maker, in Downs’ opinion.
“Beating Plymouth (4-0) like we did early in the season really got us going and made us believe in ourselves more as the season went on,” Downs said.
Important intangible
Presley was quick to credit an intangible for the Cobras’ second-straight trophy-winning season.
“This team has great chemistry,” he said. “It’s tough getting a new coach with me coming in last year, but the way these guys get along, it helped the transistion.
“Coming in this year, the seniors wanted to continue the success we experienced last year and they stepped up and made it happen.”
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
