Coming off of a 4-1 win in their district opener against Ottawa Hills, the boys varsity soccer team took on its toughest test yet in the #1 ranked Okemos Chiefs. The boys unfortunately lost in a battle 3-1, ending FHC’s dreams of winning a state championship. Senior Richie Alvarez scored the lone goal for FHC in a slow start, but the offense played well throughout the game against a very good team. 

The beginning of the first half was a great start for FHC. The defense started out playing lockdown against an Okemos team averaging around 3.5 goals per game. Senior defender Ethan Hale and goalie Kyler Williams really stood out in their efforts in stopping the fast Chief forwards. 

Okemos eventually found a way to score, as they scored in the final 20 minutes of the game to go up 2-0 at the half. Even though the Rangers gave up two goals towards the end, the team looked solid on both sides of the ball against the toughest competition the team has faced all season. 

In the second half, the boys came out with a new sense of urgency. Richie scored to cut the Chiefs’ lead down to 2-1, which inspired a new sense of aggressive and physical play. Unfortunately, Okemos put in their third goal of the game late in the second half to halt the Rangers’ chances of a comeback win. The clock expired and FHC’s season ended against the Chiefs with a 3-1 loss. 

The boys end the season at a final 9-7-4 record and losing in the district semifinals. FHC will lose some very key players on both sides of the ball. But with what the juniors along with the underclassmen showed this year on the team, the future is bright for the Ranger soccer program.