By John Raffel
Correspondent
SOUTH HAVEN — It was a dream season for the South Haven Rams boys soccer team but ended up one win short.
The Rams played at Grand Ledge’s Boyne Mountain complex on Saturday in the Division 3 title game but fell to Detroit County Day, which won its 16th state soccer title.
“It was an unforgettable season with great memories for South Haven as a team and as a community,” Rams coach Randy Bautista said, “making it to the state final with an unbelievable playoff run. The state final didn’t go our way as Detroit Country Day was a tough opponent and deserving champions on the day. But we are proud of everything we accomplished throughout the season.”
The winners scored three goals in the first 18 minutes and 50 seconds of the game and outshot the Rams 31-5. South Haven, hoping to win its first title since being co-champion in 2003 with Jackson Lumen Christi, ended the season with an 18-5-4 record. Detroit County Day ended at 22-2-1.
Alex Jaimes played goal for South Haven and had 14 saves.
Country Day was up 4-0 with 36:35 to play.
South Haven scored with 1:17 to play on a goal by junior Jaden Bolhuis, whose shot from around roughly 30 yards away went under the crossbar.
“During the regular season, we had a couple of big wins against Vicksburg (D2) and then Rockford (DI) on senior night of all nights,” Batista said, “Although we did not win the West Michigan Aviation Academy Tournament, we played against tough competition and we believed we could compete with high-level teams. We were also the Bangor Invitational champions.
“Then going into the playoffs, we were unranked and had a difficult district with Paw Paw and Fennville. But we had belief so our team goal going into the playoffs was to be district champions. We accomplished that goal and our belief grew even more from that. After so many years with out a district title, we brought it back to South Haven.
“We had great confidence going into regionals even though we would come up against tough opponents like Grand Rapids Northpointe Christian and Grand Rapids Catholic Central. Believe that we’re the better team for most of the time in both of those games. The final was a difficult game but we found a way to score in the second overtime for another memorable night. “We were deserving regional champions.”
Seniors who played their last game for the Rams were Carson Dissette, Noah Weaver, Levi Delarosa, Jesus Gonzalez, Aron Moreno, Alexander Martinez, Isaac Chalupa and August Zoet.
“Coming into the playoffs unranked, playing against ranked opponents from our districts semifinal and on. Scoring the final minutes of our district final regional semifinal and final and our state semifinal. Competing in the state finals, what a ride, Bautista said. “Thank you South Haven for the support along the way,”
