Alpena turned its homecoming match into a first-half runaway Thursday, scoring five times before halftime on the way to a 5-0 victory over Sault Ste. Marie. The Wildcats completed the shutout while building an advantage the visitors could not overcome.
Bastow leads five-goal surge
Sam Bastow opened the scoring with a header off a pass from Joe LaCross and later converted a penalty kick for his second goal. Jackson Birmingham also scored from the penalty spot, while Parker Kaiser and LaCross added first-half goals.
LaCross finished with one goal and two assists, and Mason Burns contributed an assist. Alpena generated additional chances after the break, but Sault Ste. Marie tightened its defense and kept the Wildcats off the scoreboard in the second half.
Defense preserves shutout
Goalkeepers Jayden Crandall and Josh LaCross combined for the shutout. Alpena’s back line allowed no shots on goal, while the defensive unit helped keep play in the Wildcats’ offensive zone.
Coach Ken Dragiewicz credited Alpena’s quick start and ball movement, while also acknowledging the visitors’ second-half changes. “I thought we played well in the first half,” Dragiewicz said. “We started quickly with good passing and finishing.”
Dragiewicz said Sault Ste. Marie’s halftime adjustments made the remainder of the match more competitive. He also praised a defensive rotation anchored by senior Reed Leeck and including Reece Dragiewicz, Bryson Collegnon, Marqus Parker, Brady Kadrich, Bastow and Preston Barthal.