Through four games, the Shamrocks have yet to allow a goal, and they’ve played four of the top teams in Division 1.
When the Michigan High School Soccer Coaches Association releases its first set of rankings in September, Northville, Canton, Clarkston and Salem should each be making an appearance somewhere in the top 15.
And Detroit Catholic Central beat all four of those teams during the first week of the season.
Sure, adding striker Kyle Pierson, a former Michigan Wolves club player, to the team has something to do with it. The senior has seven goals through four games.
But the most jarring statistic of them all? The Shamrocks haven’t given up a single goal yet.
Let’s recap this. Northville made a state semifinal appearance a year ago. Clarkston lost to Northville in the regional championship. Salem advanced to the regional final. And Canton lost to Salem in the district final.
So, yes, Pierson’s impact has been tremendous. And his post-goal celebrations are always hilarious.
But the Shamrocks are beating some of the best teams in Michigan with their defense.
Coach Gene Pulice couldn’t say enough about his back line and goalkeeper Jack Rogers after CC beat Salem 2-0 to win the Gary Balconi boys soccer tournament Saturday at Canton.
“Our defense is well organized,” Police said. “Everybody knows their role in the formation, so I don’t know, at this point, if there is better defense out there. We haven’t given up any goals, so I couldn’t be any happier with them. .. .
“What makes us special is we’re all superstars. We don’t have one superstar. We play as a team. We already have the synergy. We have the energy as the ‘we.’ I think we’re all in it for the ‘we’ this year, and none of us are here for the ‘me.’ That’s what makes a difference.”
CC’s back line is a strong rotation of six seniors, which includes captains Frank Swanson and Drew Pierson, Kyle’s twin brother. The others are Ian Arroyo, Aaron Rybicki, Lucas Quick and Ryan Taylor.
“I don’t think we’ll be letting up too many goals this year, or at least I hope so,” Drew said. “I don’t want to jinx it or anything. I just think we’ve got a solid back line. I wouldn’t take any other center back over me. I don’t think our team would either, and I wouldn’t t take any other goalie at the moment. I wouldn’t ask for any better centre-back partners. Right back, left back partners. I’m not surprised (we haven’t given up a goal) because going into this we had a really solid back line. Forwards get a lot of credit, but, obviously, everyone knows we haven’t let up a goal yet this season.”
Take that championship against the Rocks, for example.
One of the best offensive players in metro Detroit is Salem’s Foster Garrett, and the forward couldn’t get anywhere near Rogers or the net without being (legally) mauled by Drew and his cohorts in the back.
And any shot opportunities the Rocks got off, Rogers was right there to put both hands on them.
Rogers admitted he hasn’t made too many tough saves, despite CC shutting out Northville 2-0, Canton 3-0, Clarkston 4-0 and Salem 2-0, but Drew said his goalie has bailed out the Shamrocks on a few defensive breakdowns.
But that synergy, as well as their unselfishness, is why CC is pitching a clean sheet through four games.
“I do have to give a lot of credit to them,” said Rogers, who was actually a forward a year ago, even finishing second on the team in goals scored. “They do make the saves a little easier. Nothing is really close up yet. It’s really just routine saves I’ve been making.”
Added Drew: “At the moment, I don’t think there is a goalie who has played better than him all season. He’s made a ton of saves. It’s not that Jack’s not getting any shots. He’s made a ton of good saves against Canton, and he made a couple against Salem today.”
Rogers said his chemistry with the back line isn’t solely from practices and games. He’s also really close friends with each of them, including Drew, who’s already made a case to be an all-state defender.
“Drew and I work really well together,” Rogers added. “We’ve been on the team the past two years together. We’ve got a lot of classes together. We talk regularly. Our chemistry is pretty tight, so we just work together a lot, and it transfers onto the field. I couldn’t have asked for a better team.”
Kyle scored both goals against Salem in the Balconi championship.
The first score came off a penalty kick, as he was horse-collar tackled during a breakaway.
His other goal came on a breakaway attempt late in the match.
With the way the Shamrocks are playing, it wouldn’t be a shock if they’re ranked No. 1 by the MHSSCA in its Week 1 poll. Kyle’s goal-scoring has been a big help, but there’s no denying how well their defense has played.