Port St. Joe soccer teams split contests

Both Port St. Joe soccer teams split their contests last week, defeating Bozeman at home on Tuesday, November 15, and losing at North Bay Haven on Thursday, November 17. 

Against Bozeman, the Tiger Shark boys took a 3-1 halftime lead on their way to a 5-2 win over the 0-1 Bucks. 

Senior Jaydon Gant led the way with three goals, although one came courtesy of a fumbled rebound by the Bozeman goalie. Freshman Rhett Jemison and seventh grader Finley Spring each scored a goal. 

Senior Christian Peacock did his job with three assists, and junior Lance Larry added an assist of his own. 

Normally the JV goalie, freshman Stratton Levins manned the goalkeeping duties due to injuries suffered by junior Fisher Vandertulip and freshman Connor Howell. 

Vandertulip remains on concussion protocol from the match against Bay, while Howell strained a shoulder ligament against Taylor County. 

At North Bay Haven, the Tiger Sharks were also without the services of team captain Taylor Burkett and alternate team captain Estevan Angel. 

Burkett suffered “a significant concussion (during) the Bozeman game, (which) will have him out until December,” said Tiger Shark head coach Brian Burkett. 

Angel was serving his second, and final, game suspension for a disciplinary action committed during the Bay match. 

Taking advantage of so many vital parts missing from St. Joe’s lineup, North Bay Haven outscored the Tiger Sharks 5-0 in the second half to prevail 10-3. 

With the loss, St. Joe’s record fell to 2-2, while NBH won its first match of the season. 

Justin Gerlach’s girls team also found success against Bozeman, winning their first match of the season 2-1. 

Although Bozeman held a 1-0 lead at the half, freshman Alexa Pavon and senior Jesslyn Kuhnel each kicked in a goal after intermission, and eighth grade goalie Brooke Peacock prevented any further Buck scores. 

Unfortunately, there would be no Tiger Shark scoring against the Buccaneers, as NBH won 5-0 to hand St. Joe a 1-2 record. The Buccaneers improved to 2-2-1. 

Next up for both Tiger Shark teams will be the Munroe Bobcats in Quincy on Tuesday, November 29.