Boyne City finds finishing touch in second half to top Kingsley

BOYNE FALLS — Goals were bound to start finding the back of the net for the Boyne City boys’ soccer team Thursday when district play began.

With around 90 percent of the first half possession and a peppering of shots on visiting Kingsley’s goal, it was only a matter of time.

Then, once the first came with seven minutes left in the first half, it was like a wildfire spreading across the field in the second half.

A 2-0 halftime advantage by the Ramblers later turned into an 8-0 mercy rule victory with around 20 minutes remaining against the Stags.

“It was nice that we were getting shots and opportunities, but I was not happy with our efficiency,” Boyne City coach Ross Daniels said afterward. “That’s a point we’ve been harping on, is we’ve got to be more efficient with it. That was part of my frustration.”

Boyne City finished the night with 16 shots on goal and a handful of others just off target and really picked things up after setting down by seeing a few go in.

“I was very happy with that,” added Daniels. “The amount of chances we had, if we’re not going to convert, then what are we going to do when we only have one or two chances when we go a little deeper (in the postseason).”

The win advances the Ramblers within their Division 3 district bracket and gives them win No. 10 for the season. Boyne City is now 10-5-5, having gone 5-1-1 down the stretch of the season. Kingsley ended an 0-18 season with the loss.

Boyne City’s first half scoring woes came solved off the leg of Logan Liest with seven minutes left in the first 40, assisted by teammate Jagger Peck.

Jack Snyder then helped give the game it’s 2-0 halftime score, knocking in an assist from Carsen Dittmar.

From there, things took off in the second half, with Leist scoring a second, again assisted by Peck, then Leist assisted teammate Kaleb Lloyd to make it 4-0.

The score doubled over the next 10 minutes, with Reese Bey, Snyder Logan Lloyd and Matt Spate all scoring and Snyder and Cam Little picking up assists.

Kacey Gray earned the shutout victory in goal for Boyne City without having to make a save.

The win brings the Ramblers to the district semifinal round with a matchup against Traverse City Christian up next at Elk Rapids on Tuesday, Oct. 18.

It’s the start of a tough road to the district championship, with the Sabres closing out a 13-4-3 season and having earned five straight wins to close the season.

“It was nice to get a game in and not have such a long break,” said Daniels of playing early. “Traverse City Christian, we played them early in the season to a 1-1 draw. That’s not an easy game to get through to get to that district final.”

Also included within the district bracket are Elk Rapids and Kalkaska, with the Blazers earning a 4-1 win over Cheboygan to open district play Thursday.

While TC Christian picked up the first round bye, the Elks are widely considered the district favorite once again, a matchup that could come Boyne’s way for a third time this season if they can get through the Sabres.

Boyne's matchups with Elk Rapids came with 2-0 losses in both, though Daniels hopes to get another chance at full strength after so many players were missing in their last meeting due to sickness.

“Not to give an excuse, we were just off tempo, off our normal spots,” he said. “So my hope is that we can have a more consistent showing.

“Hopefully we can get through next Tuesday’s game. We’re not looking past Traverse City at all.”

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Boyne City finds finishing touch in second half to top Kingsley