Freeland opened their 2024 playoff run hosting the Patriots of U.S.A. As reigning 3 time district champs the Falcons were eager to get off to a quick start, and is just what they got.  In the the 3rd minute senior Derik Prast played a ball to the middle of the box, the ball was collected by sophomore Nathan Anaya who finished for the 1-0 lead.

Prast continued distribution finding Sophomore Jackson Puvalowski and again Anaya to spring out the the 3-0 lead.  Prast then found his own goal for the 4-0 lead going into the break. Second half started with more Falcon attack with Avery Thurston finding his first goal and Prast finding his 2nd and 3rd. Thurston found the 8th goal to end the game in the 68th minute. The defensive line of Lloyd, Traver, Thurston, Farminer and Colpaert along with keeper Wyatt Somerlott secured the shutout. Freeland continues their playoff run next week.

Freeland traveled to Linden to take on the Eagles in their final regular-season match of the 2024 season. After honoring their seniors, Linden started quickly, finding a goal in the third minute. With the early wake-up call, the Falcons settled in and began controlling the tempo of the game. In the 14^th minute, Sophomore Nathan Anaya beat a defender down the end line and cut back a perfectly placed pass to the right foot of Sophomore Jackson Puvalowski to knot up the game 1-1. Shortly thereafter it was Puvalowski down the left side with a curling left-footed ball that found the ever-useful head of Senior Josh Colpaert for the 2-1 lead. In the 21st minute, it was Anaya with more fancy feet finding the torso of Colpaert to score the 3^rd Falcon goal and the 3-1 halftime lead. The second half started with some new faces on the field.  Battling back and forth Linden scored their 2nd game of the night to move the score to 3-2 Freeland. The score stood until the 60th minute when the game ended on a technicality. Freeland hosts the U.S.A. for the opening round of districts on Thursday at 6 pm.
 

Falcons lined up for a home outing against Ogemaw Heights. The West Branch team came out hot and found an early goal from a corner kick which they volleyed home in fashionable style. Freeland needed a response and like many times so far this season they would react quickly through a fantastic finish by Owen Senkowski after expert linkup play by he and Derik Prast. Owen would strike again this time with a following slick passing by midfielders Artur Jovino and Jackson Puvalowski who found own in space. From this point Owen found the back of the net from 30 yards, an absolute screamer. Late in the second half Blake Traver who passed the ball comfortably all night got his reward for his late run into the box when his header met Prasts corner kick and Traver would bag his first Varsity goal of the season

Freeland met Frankenmuth for what would be the reverse fixture of their heavy 4-0 loss away to the Eagles earlier in the season. However with the Falcons seniors out in force to celebrate their senior night, it wouldn’t prove to be all so easy for the dangerous Frankenmuth side this time round. Falcons came out strong and found their feet early in the game, nullifying the Eagles attack and keeping possession nicely throughout the field as they build attacks of their own. Kayden Rose and Josh Colpaert were ever present on the flanks to hurry whichever Frankenmuth player picked the ball up in wide position. Zane Stanuszek looked strong as he made his comeback to the team. His strong start to the game leg to the opening goal as his long ball bounced perfectly into the path of Derik Prast who once again slotted home for the Falcons. Devin Bonkowski and Mateo Lopez helped continue the momentum after Freeland took the lead with their willing runs forward and high pressure on the Eagles defence. Artur Jovino and Jackson Puvalowski would keep the energy high behind them whilst keeping the ball ticking over. In the second half, Falcons defence would put on a masterclass in defending their own box. Avery Thurston, Max Farminer and Zane Stanuszek helped Wyatt Sommerlot  to organize the lines of defense and kill any attacks that Frankenmuth threw at them. It was a joy to watch them enjoy defending their goal with such poise and alertness. Their defending would lead to a well earned clean sheet for the Falcons who got what they played for in the second half as Owen Senkowski who worked tirelessly and lead the front line with his constant presence and quality got the goal to secure a successful senior night for the Falcons. He was found by a well disguised pass by Mateo Lopez and Senkowski finished with aplomb as is becoming the norm for himself and Prast this season. Falcons were excellent on the night as the overall standard of play improves with each week as they approach an important stage of the season.

Freeland and Swan Valley lined up for their second meeting of the season in intense heat. The game started quick with only some vital defending by Travis Lloyd and Graham Shepard enough to keep Swan Valley from taking an early lead. However with the Falcons on the back foot Swan Valley took the lead. Devin Bonkowski and Blake Traver had an impact for the Falcons late in the first half as Travis Lloyd, Colin Earls and Dolin Wills came close. In the second half Freeland pushed and pushed and stayed on top of the opposition throughout the half. Derek Prast’s corner kicks proved troublesome for the Vikings as he also came close with a free kick.

Unfortunately as the Falcons pushed for an equalizer Swan Valley punished them with a late free kick which they finished nicely. A tough day for the Falcons who must dust themselves down for another clash on Wednesday.

Falcons started the game with a solid structure and setup which meant they kept the Alma forwards quiet. Avery Thurston, Max Forminer and Graham Shepard covered each other at the back well while Ryan Harden and Travis Lloyd helped cover the wide areas greatly and also supported attacks brilliantly. Derik Prast and Nathan Anaya linked up well on the right side with nice interplay while Owen Senkowski worked hard to stretch their back line. Derik Prast eventually found the opener for the Falcons after he followed up on his own saved shot and finished sharply into the corner. In the second half Jackson Puvalowski, Artur Jovino and Joshua Colpaert ran the midfield, picking up loose balls and driving the team forward. As the Panthers started to come forward towards the end Wyatt Sommerlot was called into action and produced some wonderful saves including a full stretch fingertip onto the post to keep the Falcons in the game. Resolute defending and character would mean Freeland would come away with their second win of conference play.

Bay City John Glenn started the game on fire showing their quick passing game and fluid movement. After some consecutive chances for the Bobcats and some close call the Falcons had to click into gear. And they did. They began to recognize the Bobcats high line and started to cause them trouble in behind through penetrative runs from Owen Senkowski and Derik Prast. However the Bay City team would take the lead after the ball bobbled around the box and resulted in a nice finish. Falcons would battle back and responded well by sticking to their plan which resulted in Derik Prast once again picking the ball up in the midfield and finding Owen Senkowski in behind who beat one defender before finishing low into the corner. They would again come close through brilliant skill by Jackson Puvalowski who slalomed through the Bobcat back line before his left footed strike hit the inside of the post. In the second half the Falcons would again look dangerous with their continued threat in behind and great defensive play would help keep the Bobcats slick passing to a minimum. However a quick break down the left resulted in a penalty kick for John Glenn of which they coolly converted. The falcons pushed hard for an equalizer and kept themselves in the game right until the end. As they pushed and pushed the Bobcats managed to make a quick counter and finished well into the goal. The Falcons played their heart out and deserved more from the game but a very good Bobcats team would come away with the win.

Freeland would come close early on through nice link up play by Zane Senkowski and Nathan Anaya resulting in a shot off the crossbar. Some great saves from Wyatt Sommerlot and last ditch defending by Max Forminer and Avery Thurston at the other end kept the Eagles at bay. However Frankenmuth continually looked threatening on the counter attack and eventually found the bottom left corner via a nicely placed volley. Freeland responded greatly for the remainder of the first half and carried this momentum into the second. Again though, it would be the Eagles who would pick them off tapping home two rebounds in a short period of the game. Freeland continued to battle but a questionable call by the referee on an advantage play resulted in a penalty kick which the ruthless Frankenmuth side converted. A tough loss for the Falcons who must dust themselves down before a big set of games next week.

Varsity vs Garber 8/28

Coming off a tie in their first conference game vs Swan Valley, Freeland were hungry from the start of their second home game of the season. Devin Bonkowski orchestrated several attacks from center forward through his neat hold up play which brought Owen Senkowski and Artur Jovino into play. This allowed the two midfielders to display their clever footwork high up the field which resulted in both players coming close from long range efforts in the opening minutes. Garber began to capitalize on Freeland’s missed chances however as they started to create some opportunities of their own, to which Brady Van Deale and Jonas Koehler had important interventions for the team in green. The Dukes continued to frustrate the Falcons as they pushed for an opener, even with Nathan Anaya’s dangerous runs in behind Garber were able to reply with exceptional defending and top goalkeeping. Midway through the half the Falcons finally  found some joy through Devin Bonkowski’s first goal of the season with a left foot volley straight into the top corner. It wasn’t long until Freeland would double their lead with Nathan Anaya’s skilful wing play proving too hard to stop and with a measured cross he found the run of Derik Prast who met the ball perfectly and his headed effort flew past the keeper in goal. Two well worked goals by the young Falcons. In the second half Zane Stanuszek and Max Forminer brought much needed energy to the Falcon’s approach and were able to have a positive impact on the game. Garber took control early in the half as their will to win battles in the midfield kept them on the front foot as they launched attack after attack. Jackson Puvalowski would quickly put an end to this onslaught of pressure with an expertly converted penalty of which he won himself. Late in the half, Blake Traver rose well in the box to flick on a corner kick perfectly into the path of Dolan Wills, his willingness to get on the end of the cross allowed him to hook the ball back in the direction of the goal and he finished smartly inside the post making it 4-0 to the Falcon’s at the final whistle.

Both teams started the half full of passion and energy showing that they were both up for it from the get go. Freeland’s midfield worked really well in the beginning, breaking up play and connecting defense and attack continuously. Swan Valley’s back line were not giving anything up easily however and matched everything that Freeland threw at them early on. Avery Thurston and Max Farminer showed their strength and experience at the back and nullified the pace Swan Valley had in their forward line. As the game developed Swan Valley began to win more duels and with that found the opening goal early in the second half. The Falcon’s were visibly shaken but managed to keep their cool through a difficult period in the game as the Viking’s showed just how dangerous they could be. Zane Stanuszek and Joshua Colpaert worked tirelessly in the middle whilst Owen Senkowski, Jackson Puvalowski and Nathan Anaya continued to stretch the Vikings back line. This never say die attitude brought Freeland more and more opportunities and momentum as they pushed for an equalizer. With the game running out of time, a rebound fell to the feet of Derik Prast, who’s deflected effort from outside the box found the back of the net and the Falcons got their reward. Jackson Puvalowski came close towards the end as did Jonas Koehler however the goalkeeper for the Vikings pulled off some wonderful saves. A great game played by two very good teams and a positive start to the conference play for the Falcons.

Game vs Petoskey 

The game started quickly with both teams trying to break one another down which resulted in a penalty kick for Petoskey which they converted post and in with only a few minutes gone. From then on Freeland reacted superbly and began to dominate the game. Graham Shepard and Jackson Puvalowski teamed up on the right side and kept constant pressure on Petoskey. Zane Stanuszek and Owen Senkowski worked like hounds in the middle while Joshua Colpaert swept up any attempts to escape the pressure behind them. The Falcons continued to pressurize the host team for the tournament long into the second half with sustained attack after sustained attack. However with all their fantastic efforts and dominance since the first goal, Petoskey managed to find a way past Freeland right at the end of the game.

Vs Marquette.

Freeland started the game well with some nice work by Sam Moehler down the right and solid defending by Jonas Koehler at the back proving key for the Falcons. Marquette showed their quality with a quick couple of goals down the left side and another from midfield putting them three up by halftime. After a fantastic half time reaction Freeland pulled one back through Owen Senkowski after a well worked corner kick from Derik Prast and Joshua Colpaert. Marquette would continue to show their worth with pace, power and clinical finishing giving them a comfortable lead and would see them go on to be clear winner in the game. A great day out for the Falcons and some serious positives to be taken away from both games for coach Quinn.

Freeland started off the game nicely with some good combinations between the midfield and forwards alongside confident defending from the back line. Two quick goals early in the half from Saginaw Lutheran saw them take complete control of the game and they would carry this momentum for the majority of the half. A great response and counter attack by Jackson Puvalowski resulted in a snap finish from Derik Prast with the first goal of the season for Freeland Falcons Varsity. Late in the half Derik Prast swerved a corner kick into the goal marking his second goal of the game and bringing Freeland level. However the Chargers managed to scrape one more goal before the break and reclaimed their lead. 

The Falcons responded superbly in the second half as they clicked into gear. A quick brace from the electric Nathan Anaya, a crafty finish by Jackson Puvalowski as well as an unfortunate own goal by the Chargers put Freeland in charge. The Saginaw team were not down and out as they pulled a goal back and continued to threaten. Had it not been for Summerlots cool head in goal along with Thurston’s speed in his vital recovery runs combined with Farminer playing like a rolls at center back there would have been a lot more trouble for the Falcons.  A great reaction to a slow start.

Freeland started their opening game of the season with great intensity and threatened from the start. Zane Stanuszek and Nathan Anaya brought the energy to trouble the opponents early in the game. Heritage showed the class and quality that they possess by controlling possession and showing their capabilities as a well organized team filled with individuals who are very comfortable in possession. As they put their stance on the game they created a breakaway and finished clinically early in the first half. The Falcons battled back and with some resilient defending kept the game within touching distance for a large portion of the game. Freeland battled hard in the second half but after going two goals behind it was always going to be an uphill battle. The away team managed to come up with some answers late in the game but it proved to be too little and too late. Jackson Puvalowski looked bright and created a number of chances towards the end, Senkowski came close and Derik Prast proved himself a handful for the Hawks defense. A lot of positives for Freeland and a lot of things to improve on still.