Well done, Eagles

Plymouth Christian boys soccer team wins first Regional semifinal in a decade

  Don't let the Plymouth Christian Academy boys soccer team's just-over-.500 record fool you.

  The Eagles can play.

  Hillsdale Academy found that out the hard way Tuesday when the Eagles soared to a 5-1 victory in a Division 4 Regional semifinal showdown at Jackson Christian.

  To put the Eagles' accomplishment in perspective, the last time PCA advanced this far in the post season, Bill Clinton was President, the Backstreet Boys were tearing up the charts and Tiger Woods was beatable.

  The victory catapulted the Eagles into Saturday's 2 p.m. Regional final against Wednesday's Ann Arbor Greenhills-Lansing Christian winner.

  PCA's first goal Tuesday came on a "trick" corner play 15 minutes into the game when Jordan Machonga deposited the ball into the back of the net.

  Hillsdale knotted the game at 1-all 10 minutes later on a PCA own goal, but Dan Ross's successful penalty kick later in the half gave the Eagles a lead they would never relinquish.

  PCA took a 3-1 lead into the break when Machonga out-maneuvered three Hillsdale defenders before slotting a pass to Ross, who drilled the ball past the Hillsdale net-minder.

  The Eagles padded their advantage to 4-1 early in the second half when Blair Robinson threaded slick pass through the Hillsdale defense to Machonga, clotheslined a shot into the net.

  PCA added an insurance goal when Alex Chapman scored from the top of the 18-yard box off a nice pass from Travis DeKruyter.

  All 22 players on the PCA roster saw playing time except for sophomore Jon Cook, who was sidelined by an injury he suffered in last week's District semifinal match against Huron Valley Lutheran.

 
  Ed Wright can be reached at info@plymouthcantonsports.com or (734) 453-1980.