As the clock ticked away early in the first half, FHC had to make a decision: fold to Lowell’s aggressive defense or throw the first punch.
The first punch was thrown, but it wasn’t by Lowell, allowing FHC to come out with the win 3-0.
FHC against Lowell, the winner goes to the conference championship to play either Byron Center or FHN. Earlier in the week, Lowell won in a thriller against GRC, 2-1. This set up the anticipated rematch between Lowell and FHC.
This highly anticipated match showcased the team’s resilience and the exceptional talents of key players Kyle Webb, Dylan Buchanan, and Chris Dongmo, who each contributed crucial goals.
FHC, led by senior Kyle Webb, seized control of the midfield early on. Webb’s relentless work ethic and vision were evident as he orchestrated the team’s attacks, setting up goal-scoring opportunities. However, Lowell’s defense was equally steadfast, preventing any early breakthroughs.
Lowell’s relentless defense did not last, however.
The first real chance came with 25 minutes left in the first half. Webb broke away from defenders with his problematic speed; this ended in a quick striking goal to the back of the net, 1-0 FHC.
The scoring didn’t end there for the Rangers in the first half; with eight minutes to go, FHC senior Nick Bergman led a beautiful sequence down the field that eventually ended with a rebound goal from Dylan Buchanan, 2-0 FHC. This set the tone for the Rangers, as they would never let Lowell score. Captain senior Alex Moeller believes that this was one of the most complete games so far this season.
“We played great,” Moeller said. “We’ve been playing complete games lately. Our defense has been playing with confidence, which has led us to have chances on offense as well. As a whole, we just want to look forward and prepare for the conference finals.”
The second half saw Lowell attempting to regroup and press for an equalizer, but the defense, led by Moeller and agile goalkeeper, Kasey Dantuma, stood firm. Their unwavering resilience frustrated Lowell’s attackers, denying Lowell any clear scoring opportunities.
As the game entered its final stages, Lowell tried desperately to mount a comeback. However, the Rangers backline, with stellar performances from defensemen Matt Taylor and Eli Lipke, held firm and repelled Lowell.
With nine minutes left in the first, Chris Dongmo added the nail in the coffin. Dongmo, the team’s dynamic winger, showcased his speed and dribbling prowess as he weaved past Lowell’s defenders and rebounded his own shot into the net. His goal made it 3-0, putting the game beyond doubt. Coach Paul Kramer especially loved the effort shown by his players.
“We knew Lowell was a very tough defensive-oriented team,” Kramer said. “We also knew we would have to break them down and keep our heads about us. This game was a good precursor for the title game on Monday.”
Kramer also noted that it’s very tough to play conference teams more than once.
“You see the same old foes, and they get to know you, and they get to know the key players,” Kramer said. “However, it’s how our team shows grit and perseverance at the end of the day that determines the outcome of the game.”
FHC will try to win the conference tournament this coming Monday when they face off against FHN for the second time this year (FHC won the first matchup, 2-1). Kyle Webb is welcoming the fierce competition.
“Our win against Lowell will give us motivation,” Webb said. “We know we played a solid game and that would hopefully translate to our upcoming game against FHN. At the end of the day, we have to show them who’s the boss.”
