GRCC Men’s Soccer Secures 2-0 Victory Over Cuyahoga for Second Win of the Season
By Jack Walker
Highland Hills, Ohio — The Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) men’s soccer team secured a 2-0 victory over Cuyahoga Community College on Saturday afternoon, thanks to a resolute defensive performance. Despite facing a red card early in the second half, the Raiders managed to hold onto their lead and extend their unbeaten streak to three games. This win improves their record to 2-3-1 for the season after a challenging 0-3 start.
The first half was a defensive stalemate, with neither team managing to score. GRCC’s defense was solid, preventing Cuyahoga from taking any shots on goal during the initial 45 minutes. The Raiders’ defensive prowess continued to be a highlight of their season, demonstrating their strength in this area.
Offensively, GRCC struggled to capitalize on their opportunities. The Raiders took four shots on target and earned five corner kicks, but none resulted in goals. The physicality of the match was evident, with a total of 22 fouls committed by both teams, including nine by GRCC and 13 by Cuyahoga.
The game saw a breakthrough early in the second half when GRCC’s Elijah Maas delivered a precise cross from a corner kick, allowing Cole Drozdowski to score with a header, giving the Raiders a 1-0 lead. However, the advantage was short-lived as freshman defender Jaime Bautista received his second yellow card shortly after, forcing GRCC to play with 10 men for the remainder of the match.
Head Coach Damiekco Smith expressed his concerns about the red card, noting, “That was a really tough one because I thought the kid was playing really good. I thought the red card was a little premature but the ref was consistent and called a very close game.”
Despite being down a player, GRCC’s defense held strong. The team managed to register more shots in the second half compared to Cuyahoga. A crucial goal came in the 86th minute when freshman midfielder Rodrigo Perez scored, sealing a 2-0 victory for the Raiders.
Sophomore goalkeeper Brett Miller played a key role in the win, making seven saves in the second half. Coach Smith praised Miller’s performance, stating, “Brett has done a great job in the last four games with a clean sheet, which is why I stopped switching goalies at half. I have three amazing goalies which is a good problem.”
After a rough start to the season, GRCC has now won two consecutive games without conceding a goal. “They are starting to trust my leadership and actually listen, it makes a difference,” said Smith. “We could easily be 4-1 for the season.”
The Raiders had previously faced late-game challenges, allowing a goal in the 89th minute against Owens Community College and conceding two goals past the 75th minute against Aquinas. However, the recent improvement in their defensive performance suggests a positive turnaround.
Looking ahead, GRCC will face Lake Michigan College on Wednesday, Sept. 18, at 1 p.m. at the Midwest United Complex in Kentwood. Last season, GRCC defeated Lake Michigan College twice, outscoring them 12-0 in those games. Coach Smith emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum, stating, “Just continue to trust each other and stay positive.”
